The party challenging the imposition of the administrative penalty shall be responsible for the costs associated with use of the Administrative Hearing Officer. The fee shall be $150, and shall be used to pay for the costs associated with the use of the Administrative Hearing Officer, subject to the following:
(A) If the party challenging the imposition of the administrative penalty posts bond under this chapter, the hearing officer fee must be included in said bond.
(B) If the registered owner or lessee of any vehicle seized pursuant to this chapter admits liability as provided in this chapter, provided said admission occurs more than 48 hours prior to the scheduled administrative hearing, no hearing officer fee shall be assessed. A failure to admit liability and waive the administrative hearing in a timely manner will result in the imposition of’ the hearing officer fee on the registered owner of the vehicle in question.
(C) If no admission of liability or waiver of administrative hearing is received prior to the deadline described in division (B) of this section, the hearing officer fee shall be imposed on the registered owner of the vehicle in question.
(D) If the Administrative Hearing Officer overturns the basis for the vehicle impound, no hearing officer fee shall be assessed, and any previously posted hearing officer fee shall be refunded.
(E) Every registered owner of the subject vehicle shall be jointly and severally liable to the city for any hearing officer fee imposed under this chapter.
(Ord. 1548, passed 10-3-16)