SEC. 15C-27. APPEAL OF SERVICE FEES.

   (a)   A person may appeal a service fee assessed under Section 15C-29 or 15C-32 for a false fire or medical alarm notification if he delivers a written request for an appeal to the chief not more than 10 business days after notice of the assessment.

   (b)   The chief shall appoint a hearing panel to hear the appeal. A hearing panel shall be composed of:

      (1)   one representative from the fire marshal's division of the fire department;

      (2)   one representative from the emergency operations division of the fire department; and

      (3)   one person currently licensed by the State of Texas to install or design alarm systems.

   (c)   The hearing panel shall give the appealing party an opportunity to present evidence and make argument in his behalf. The formal rules of evidence do not apply to an appeal under this section, and the hearing panel shall make its ruling on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence presented at the hearing.

   (d)   The hearing panel may affirm or reverse the assessment of a service fee, but may not modify the amount of the service fee assessed. The decision of the hearing panel is final as to available administrative remedies. (Ord. 19854)