A. A hearing shall be conducted before a hearing officer within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of a written demand therefor from the person seeking the hearing unless such person waives the right to a speedy hearing.

B. The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing in an informal manner and shall not be bound by technical rules of evidence.

C. The person demanding the hearing shall carry the burden of establishing that such person has the right to represent the business (is an owner, agent or attorney hired for the proceeding).

D. The finance director shall carry the burden by clear and convincing evidence.

E. At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall prepare a written decision. A copy of such decision and the reasons therefor shall be provided to the person demanding the hearing and the owner of the business if such owner is not the person requesting the hearing.

F. The hearing officer’s decision in no way affects any civil proceeding in connection with the matter in question and any civil charges involved in such proceeding may only be challenged in the appropriate court. The decision of the hearing officer is final.

G. Failure of the owner, operator, master, or managing agent to request or attend a scheduled hearing shall be deemed a waiver of the right to such hearing. [Ord. 17-39 § 2.]