A final decision or order of the head of the delegated local agency shall be in writing or stated in the record. A final decision shall include separately stated findings of fact and conclusions of law, based upon the evidence of record at the hearing of the administrative law judge. Findings of fact shall be accompanied by a concise and explicit statement of the underlying facts supporting the findings. A final decision or order may incorporate by reference any or all of the recommendations of the administrative law judge.

Parties of record shall be notified either by personal service or by mail of any final decision or order. Upon request, a copy of the decision or order shall be delivered or mailed forthwith by registered or certified mail to each party of record and to a party’s attorney of record.

A final decision or order shall be effective on the date of delivery or mailing, whichever is sooner, to the party or parties of record, or shall be effective on any date thereafter, as the delegated local agency may provide in the decision or order. The date of delivery or mailing shall be stamped on the face of the final decision or order. A final decision or order shall be considered a final agency action, and shall be appealable in the same manner as a final agency action of a State department or agency.

L.1991,c.8,s.4.