§ 28-294. Appointment, powers and duties of hearing officers.

(a)

Appointment of hearing officers. The authority shall have the authority to appoint hearing officers for the purpose of conducting public hearings on such matters involving utilities as the authority may designate, including, but not limited to rates, fees, charges, rules, regulations, conditions of service, transfers, and franchise application, extensions, amendments, renewals, suspensions, and revocations.

(1)

Hearing officers shall be attorneys licensed to practice in the State of Florida.

(2)

The authority may contract with individual attorneys or with the state agency responsible for conducting administrative hearings for state agencies for purposes of assignment to any public hearing to be scheduled or held pursuant to this article or rules thereunder. Any such contract between an attorney or agency and the board shall be considered a contract with the authority.

(3)

Hearing officers shall not be county employees, but shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed that rate established by resolution of the authority. In addition, hearing officers may be reimbursed for such travel, mileage, and per diem expenses as may be authorized by the authority.

(4)

Detailed invoices from the hearing officer for costs and fees must be submitted to the administrator for review.

(5)

Approved costs and fees for hearing officers shall be paid out of the utility trust account in accordance with section 24-297(e).

(b)

Hearing procedures. All hearing procedures established in this article shall be followed by the hearing officer, including all procedures contained in section 24-300.

(Ord. No. 2002-20, § 4, 10-8-02)