Indiana Code Title 33. Courts and Court Officers § 33-35-3-5

Sec. 5. (a) The common council of a city having a city court may create the position of city court referee to assist the city court judge in the administration of the judge's duties and the disposition of matters pending in the court. The common council may authorize more than one (1) referee. After authorization is granted, the judge shall appoint one (1) or more referees. The referee or referees serve at the pleasure of the judge.

(b) A referee shall take the same oath of office as provided for the judge and must have the same qualifications for office as required for the judge. A referee may administer oaths in the performance of the referee's duty and use the seal of the court. In all cases coming before the referee, the referee shall comply with the requirements of procedure provided for the hearing of cases by the court. The referee shall make a return of the referee's findings and recommendations in writing to the court, and the court shall proceed to enter the order, judgment, or decree that the court considers proper.

(c) The salary of a referee shall be fixed by the judge subject to the approval of the common council of the city. The common council shall appropriate sufficient money to pay the referee.