A. The city clerk shall appoint a hearing officer to decide and investigate all sufficiently filed complaints under WMC 2.02.020. Except as provided in WMC 2.02.020, the hearing officer shall have sole jurisdiction to decide the merits of a complaint filed under this chapter.

B. A hearing officer designated by the city clerk under this chapter shall have sole authority to investigate the complaint that hearing officer has been retained to hear and to make procedural decisions regarding the investigation and hearing of that complaint. Except as otherwise provided in WMC 2.02.020, the hearing officer shall be the sole decision-maker and shall comply with the procedures and requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 22-13(AM) § 3, 2022)