In all hearings on appeal conducted by the Commission:
(a) The Commission shall confine its consideration to the specific facts set forth in the order from which the appeal is taken, and no substantial amendments of, or additions to, the charges or specifications therein will be permitted or considered by the Commission;
(b) The order of procedure shall be as follows:
(1) The appointing authority shall adduce their evidence in support of the charges and specifications;
(2) The employee shall then produce such evidence as they may wish to offer in defense of such charges;
(3) The appointing authority may offer evidence in rebuttal;
(4) The Commission may, in its discretion, hear arguments.
(c) The production of evidence on the hearing of appeals and the determination and decision thereof shall be governed by the rules of evidence or proof applied by the courts in civil cases. The appellee and the appellant may be represented by counsel. (Amended 6-22-66; 7-27-22.)
Section 3. Appeal to Common Pleas Court.
After the hearing provided in Section 2 of this Rule XIII, an appeal may be taken from the finding of the Commission to the Common Pleas Court of Lucas County, Ohio, as provided by law. (Amended 6-2-66.)