§ 10-708 — Hearing officers—Qualifications, powers, duties and functions

Sec. 10-708. - Hearing officers—Qualifications, powers, duties and functions.

(a) Hearing officers shall be appointed by the mayor to adjudicate administrative citations or summons issued under this article. Appointment shall be made for a two year term to begin as of the date of the appointment. (b) A hearing officer must meet all of the following qualifications: (1) Be a resident of the city at the time of appointment and maintain residency in the city throughout the period of appointment; (2) Be a citizen of the United States; (3) Be a licensed attorney in good standing; and (4) Have two or more years of experience practicing law in the State of Texas. (c) A hearing officer shall have the following powers, duties, and functions: (1) To act as the fact finder and determine whether or not the person charged is liable; (2) To assess administrative penalties, costs, and fees; (3) To issue orders compelling the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents; (4) To administer oaths; (5) To question witnesses and consider evidence; (6) To suspend the payment of administrative penalties, costs, and fees for a specific period of time not to exceed one year from the date the administrative order of liability is filed with the municipal court; (7) To make a finding as to the financial inability of a person found liable of a violation to pay administrative penalties, costs, and fees; and (8) To make a finding as to the financial inability of a person found liable of a violation to pay for the transcription of any recording of an administrative hearing or to post an appeal bond.

(Ord. No. 2010-815, § 2, 10-13-2010)