§ 2-2-113. Freedom from improper influence.

(a)

No person who is or is likely to become a party of record before a hearing officer, nor anyone appearing on behalf of a party of record before the hearing officer, shall communicate ex parte with any hearing officer about any matter currently or likely to come before such hearing officer.

(b)

In order to assure that hearing officers are free from improper influence, a hearing officer shall neither initiate nor consider ex parte communications concerning a pending or impending matter. A hearing officer, however, may obtain the advice of a disinterested expert including another hearing officer on principles of law, planning or zoning, or other technical subject matter applicable to a proceeding before him or her, if he or she gives notice to the parties of record of the person consulted and the substance of the advice, and affords the parties of record reasonable opportunity to respond.

(c)

Ex parte communications as contemplated herein shall not include the required transmission of official documents by staff pursuant to the terms of this section or any other applicable ordinance; nor shall it include discussion with representatives of the Manatee County Attorney's Office not related to a specific matter over which the hearing officer is presiding.

(Ord. No. 10-56, § 1, 9-28-10)