City of Newberry hearing officer to decide on alleged code violations; parties discuss continuance

At a City of Newberry code-enforcement hearing, the hearing officer said they will receive evidence, allow rebuttals and then rule on whether properties cited in the Massey and McElhaney cases violate city code and whether fines should follow.

The hearing officer said parties "will have the day to show their evidence" and that the city and respondents may "go back and forth" with rebuttals. The officer added, "my only purpose here today is to figure out whether there's a violation," and said any finding could include compliance requirements and fines.

Procedural steps described in the record included swearing witnesses and identifying counsel. The hearing officer asked those who planned to testify to stand and be sworn and asked whether any party was represented by an attorney so the officer could address counsel first. The officer also said, "if you'll provide me with a template for the continuance, I'll sign off on it and continue it to whatever day y'all have on the calendar coming up," indicating a continuance option if parties request one and provide a form.

The transcript identifies two case names from the record: Massey and McElhaney. A city item referenced in the record was marked as "exhibit 8." The hearing officer did not announce a final finding or fine in the portion of the transcript provided.

Next steps recorded in the transcript are limited to the procedural directions: witnesses to be sworn, counsel to be identified if present, and the option for parties to submit a continuance template for the officer to sign and set a new hearing date. No final rulings, fines, or dates for continuance appeared in the excerpt provided.