Sec. 4. (a) If the Whitley county executive establishes the position of small claims referee to serve the Whitley superior court, the judge of the Whitley superior court may appoint a part-time small claims referee under IC 33-29-3 to assist the court in the exercise of its small claims jurisdiction.

     (b) The small claims referee is entitled to reasonable compensation not exceeding twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) as recommended by the judge of the Whitley superior court to be paid by the county after the compensation is approved by the county fiscal body. The state shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the salary set under this subsection and the county shall pay the remainder of the salary.

     (c) The Whitley County executive shall provide and maintain a suitable courtroom and facilities for the use of the small claims referee, including furniture and equipment, as necessary.

     (d) The Whitley superior court shall employ administrative staff necessary to support the functions of the small claims referee.

     (e) The county fiscal body shall appropriate sufficient funds for the provision of staff and facilities required under this section.

[Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-5-50-11.]

As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.12.