18.9—Final agency decision.
(a)
In hearings conducted under § 18.6, the responsible agency official shall make the final agency decision, on the basis of the record, findings, conclusions, and recommendations presented by the hearing examiner.
(b)
Prior to making a final decision, the responsible agency official shall give the parties an opportunity to submit the following, within thirty (30) days after the submission of the hearing officer's recommendations:
(c)
All determinations, findings and conclusions made by the responsible agency official shall be final and conclusive upon the responsible agency and all appellants.