§ 5-7. Appeal.

(a)

The county manager or designee will serve as hearing officer for appeals from owners that have been noticed to disconnect or deactivate an alarm system or have been assessed fees for alarm malfunctions or false alarms. If the county manager elects a designee to serve as hearing officer, that designee shall not be with the sheriff's or public safety departments.

(b)

An appeal must be in writing, submitted to county administration, stating the reasons why the order to disconnect or deactivate should be withdrawn, and shall be made within 15 days of the date of the notice to disconnect or receipt of any false alarm malfunction report. The alarm user shall have the burden of proof by preponderance of the evidence.

(c)

The hearing officer shall send notice of hearing to the owner within 15 days prior to the appeal hearing and shall make written findings available to the alarm owner, law enforcement or public safety within ten days from the date the hearing is concluded.

(d)

If the hearing officer affirms the order to disconnect or deactivate an alarm system, the owner shall have five days following the mailing or the written decision of the hearing officer within which to comply with the order.

(Ord. No. 94-20, § 7, 10-18-94; Ord. No. 01-15, § 1, 4-3-01)