Investigator finds no policy violation; commission reinstates planning director Carter Mundy and waives privilege

The Franklin City Commission received an independent investigative report on April 27 and voted to reinstate Planning & Zoning Director Carter Mundy after the investigator concluded no policy violation occurred.

Krista Burton, the outside investigator the city hired, told the commission she reviewed city policy, the relevant law and the facts of the case and concluded, "there was no violation of the policies on the part of Mundy, and no discipline is warranted." Burton provided a written report to the commission and answered questions during the meeting.

Following Burton's presentation, the commission moved to hire (affirm) Carter Mundy to his position as planning and zoning director effective March 10, 2025, and to ratify the actions he took in that role prior to the vote. Commissioner Stewart framed the vote as a correction of a technical oversight and apologized for the process Mundy had endured, saying the commission wanted him to know he would be supported going forward.

The reinstatement motion passed by roll call (Commissioner Powell, Mayor Dixon, Commissioner McCrary and Commissioner Stewart voting in favor; Commissioner Bush opposed). The commission then voted to waive attorney‑client privilege for the investigator's report so it may be disseminated as the commission sees fit; that motion also carried.

The commission said the report had been prepared by an attorney outside the city and that no city staff or commissioners had influenced Burton's investigation. The vote restored Mundy to his position retroactively and authorized disclosure of the investigative report per the commission's direction.