§ 2-7-24. Hearing procedures.

(a)

The county's code enforcement division shall be responsible for scheduling hearings before the special magistrate.

(b)

Cases on the agenda for a particular day shall be heard. All testimony shall be under oath and shall be recorded. The special magistrate shall take testimony from the code enforcement officer, the violator, and any other person familiar with the case or having knowledge about the case. The special magistrate shall not be bound by formal rules of evidence; however, the rules of evidence shall act to ensure fundamental due process in each of its hearing cases.

(c)

At the conclusion of each hearing the special magistrate shall issue findings of fact, based on the evidence of record, conclusions of law, and shall issue an order affording the proper relief consistent with subsection 2-7-25(e) of the Manatee County Code. The order may include a notice that a violation must be complied with by a specified date and that a fine will be imposed, and the costs of repairs may be included along with the fine, under the conditions specified in section 2-7-26 of the Manatee County Code, if the order is not complied with by such date. A certified copy of the order imposing a fine, or a fine plus repair costs, may be recorded in the public records in the office of the clerk of the circuit court in and for Manatee County, Florida, and shall constitute notice to any subsequent purchasers, successors in interest, or assigns, if the violation concerns real property.

(d)

If an order is recorded in the public records of the office of the clerk of the circuit court in and for Manatee County, Florida, and the violation is corrected by the compliance date specified in the order, the special magistrate shall issue an order acknowledging compliance, which shall be recorded in the public records. A hearing is not required to issue an order acknowledging compliance.

(Ord. No. 17-44 , § 3, 9-26-17)