§ 24-192. Exclusive responsibility and authority.

The exclusive authority of a hearing officer shall be to administer those matters assigned by the parish government which arise under the nuisance ordinances of parish government as set forth in chapter 24 of the parish's Code of Ordinances, as well as to assess and collect all fines and penalties set forth therein. In connection therewith, in such matters, a hearing officer shall have such power and authority as granted by Louisiana law (R.S. 13:2575, et seq.) including, but not limited to:

(1)

Administering oaths and affirmations;

(2)

Issuing orders compelling the attendance of witnesses and defendants and the production of documents;

(3)

Levying fines, fees, penalties, and hearing costs, the maximums of which are set forth herein.

(4)

Ordering violators to correct violations within a stipulated time;

(5)

Adopting necessary and reasonable measures to effect correction of any violation if the violator fails to do so within the time allocated by the hearing officer;

(6)

Recording orders, judgments, notice of judgments, or liens in the mortgage records of the parish in which the immovable property is situated, or on which the violation occurs, all such liens having the ranking as provided by R.S. 9:4821(1); and

(7)

Declaring immovable property in the unincorporated areas of St. Martin Parish to be blighted and to constitute a nuisance, all for the purposes of R.S. 14:107.3.

The enforcement of all liens and provisions of chapter 24 of the Code of Ordinances shall be viewed solely as an alternative enforcement mechanism to be used by parish government at its discretion. The parish government, therefore, reserves the right to pursue any other remedies afforded by law or ordinance.

(Ord. No. 18-06-1227-OR, 6-5-2018)