(a) Conducted in public. The Administrative Hearing Officer shall conduct a public hearing on an application, which shall be recorded. The hearing may be continued from time to time, with the time and place of the next hearing date announced publicly.
(b) Rulings and witnesses. The hearing shall be conducted in an impartial and orderly manner. The applicant, the County, and any other person deemed qualified by the Administrative Hearing Officer may introduce evidence and testify. The Administrative Hearing Officer shall rule on procedural matters and objections made during the course of a hearing. Each witness shall testify under oath.
(c) Burden of proof. The applicant has the burden of proof, including the burden of going forward with the production of evidence and the burden of persuasion, on all questions of fact. The burden of persuasion is by a preponderance of the evidence.
(Bill No. 4-05)