The examiner shall not conduct or participate in any hearing or decision in which the examiner has a direct or indirect personal interest which might exert such influence upon the examiner that might interfere with their decision-making process. Any actual or potential conflict of interest shall be disclosed by the hearing examiner to the parties immediately upon discovery of such conflict.

Participants appearing before the hearing examiner have the right, insofar as possible, to have the examiner free from personal interest or prehearing contacts on land use regulatory matters considered by them. It is recognized that there is a countervailing public right to free access to public officials on any matter. If such personal interest or prehearing contact impairs the examiner’s ability to act on the matter, the hearing examiner shall state and shall abstain therefrom to the end that the proceeding is fair and has the appearance of fairness, unless all parties agree in writing to have the matter heard by said examiner. If all parties do not agree and the hearing examiner must abstain, the hearing examiner shall assign the matter to a hearing examiner pro tem to sit in the hearing examiner’s stead. (Ord. 6442 § 31, 2012; Ord. 4840 § 1, 1996; Ord. 4229 § 2, 1987. Formerly 18.66.080.)