A recent investigation by The Dallas Express reveals that Dallas’s top city planner does not appear to live anywhere near Dallas despite in-office work requirements dictated by city policy.

Chief Planner for Jennifer Munoz’s LinkedIn states that she lives 7 hours away in the small town of Los Fresnos, Texas. The signature section of her email says in bolded wording, “working remotely.”

It is unclear when Munoz became a resident of Los Fresnos. However, property records available on LexisNexis reveal that she purchased a property in that area in the summer of 2020. The previous properties listed in her possession were within city limits.

Work-from-home is not allowed for most city employees under a city policy known as AD 3-80. The latest AD 3-80 iteration was signed and approved by then-City Manager TC Broadnax in 2021. An FAQ on the policy states that to be eligible for telework, an employee must have a:

  • Job position does not require in person contact, Job duties do not require employees to be readily available in person.
    Work productivity can be objectively measured.
  • The employee can provide a remote work environment that is free from interruptions and
    distractions.
  • The employee must demonstrate the ability to work independently.

The FAQ also states that employees with documented lagging performance are not eligible for telework.

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Munoz’s tenure has coincided with frustration from some city council members about zoning. On December 11, Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn tweeted, “Average time from application to city council action in this week’s zoning is 320.6 days, 41.6 weeks. ” Then, she listed the time from application to city council action for 19 zones and revealed that in some places, like Z15, it can take the council “518 days, 74 weeks” to take action.

This social media post was the latest in a series of monthly posts she makes on this matter.

However, Munoz’s portfolio is unclear. Chief and/or Senior Planners are roles found in most major cities, and her LinkedIn profile shows that she has held both jobs in Dallas. Dallas’s City Code establishes a broad portfolio of responsibilities for the Chief Planner. These duties include supervising the Department of Planning and Urban Design, advising the city manager, recommending policies, and administering policies that preserve historic sites.

In the spring of this year, Munoz’s assumed a unique Chief Planner for

Google searches for an equivalent position in other major Texas cities, such as Houston and Austin, do not immediately return identical titles and job descriptions at these localities.

Likewise, the Dallas City Code does not provide greater illumination as to her duties and how she performs them from home.

The Dallas Express contacted Munoz and City Manager Kim Tolbert to ask how this seemingly novel role was approved for telework and what services it provides to Dallas’s citizens. Neither party responded by the time of publication.