Ind. Code § 16-20-5.5-4

Sec. 4. The appellant, or a representative of the appellant, must be present at a hearing conducted by the legislative body. The failure of the local board of health or local health officer that issued the enforcement action to be present is not a cause for postponement of the hearing unless the local board of health or local health officer requests and is granted a continuance. The granting of a continuance does not modify any time requirements under this chapter.