Sec. 6. Upon the filing of a notice of intent to establish or dissolve a district under this chapter, the governing body shall appoint a hearing officer to preside over public hearings concerning the establishment or dissolution of a district. The hearing officer does not have to be a state or county employee and may not be a member of the county legislative body. If the hearing officer is not a full-time state or county employee, the hearing officer is entitled to be paid reasonable:

(1) expenses; and

(2) per diem;

for each day or part of a day in actual attendance at a meeting or hearing or in performance of duties.

As added by P.L.161-2002, SEC.2 and P.L.172-2002, SEC.7.