A. Any person aggrieved by the action of the Auditor in refusing to issue or renew any license under this Chapter or in temporarily or permanently suspending or revoking any license issued under this Chapter shall have the right to appeal such action to the Pierce County Hearing Examiner, or to such other hearing body as may hereafter be established by the County Council for the hearing of such appeals, by filing a notice of appeal with the Auditor within ten working days after receiving notice of the action from which appeal is taken.

B. The Hearing Examiner, upon receipt of a timely notice of appeal, shall set a date for a de novo hearing of such appeal. The Examiner shall hear testimony, take evidence, and may hear oral argument and receive written briefs. Except in cases of summary suspension of licenses because of the threat of immediate serious injury or damage to person or property pursuant to PCC 5.16.100 B. of this Chapter, the filing of such appeal shall stay the action of the Auditor, pending the decision of the Examiner. In cases of summary suspension of licenses because of the threat of immediate serious injury or damage to persons or property pursuant to PCC 5.16.100 B., the Examiner shall render a decision within ten days of the conclusion of the hearing.

C. The decision of the Hearing Examiner on an appeal from a decision of the Auditor shall be based upon a preponderance of the evidence. The burden of proof shall be on the Auditor.

D. The decision of the Hearing Examiner shall be final unless appealed to the Superior Court within 20 days of the date the decision is entered by the filing of an appropriate action and serving of all necessary parties.