The party challenging the imposition of the administrative fee shall be responsible for the costs associated with use of the administrative hearing officer. Said fee shall be one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), 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 fee posts bond under section 12-4-9 of this division, the hearing officer fee must be included in said bond.
B. If the registered owner or lessee of any vehicle seized pursuant to this division admits liability under section 12-4-10 of this division, provided said admission occurs more than forty eight (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 motor vehicle in question.
C. If no admission of liability or waiver of administrative hearing is received prior to the deadline described in paragraph B of this section, the hearing officer fee shall be imposed on the registered owner of the motor 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 County for any Hearing Officer fee imposed under this division. (Ord. 2011-1008, 10-19-2011)