A. At the time a protest is filed, the protester shall deposit with the city a protest fee in an amount established by resolution of the city council. Any protest that is not accompanied by the protest fee is invalid and shall not be considered.
B. The city shall use the protest fee to pay costs incurred by the city for the hearing and hearing examiner. If the costs are less than the protest fee, the city shall return any unexpended amounts. If the costs exceed the protest fee deposited, and the protest is denied, the city may invoice the protester for any additional unpaid costs, and the protester shall pay all costs due no later than 30 calendar days after the date of the invoice. Any protester that fails to pay an invoice within 30 days is barred from filing a protest on any subsequent city contract until the city receives payment of all costs due plus interest, at the rate of 10% per annum, beginning 30 calendar days after the date of the invoice. (Ord. 2024-0010 § 4)