Whenever the term “Hearing Authority” is used in this chapter, it shall be deemed to refer to one or more persons assigned by the County Administrative Officer the responsibility of conducting a hearing. The County Administrative Officer shall be authorized to assign hearing responsibility from time to time to either:
(a) County management personnel who the County Administrative Officer finds are qualified by training and experience to conduct such hearings;
(b) Any persons, qualified by training or experience, who the County Administrative Officer may employ or who are retained by contract to conduct such hearings; or
(c) Administrative Law Judges assigned by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
The County Administrative Officer is hereby authorized to contract in the name of the County for the retention of hearing services at rates which do not exceed the financial limitations established by the County’s annual budget. (§ 1, Ord. 970, eff. January 12, 1984)