La. R.S. 33:441.25

The governing authority of the town of Jena, upon request of the mayor, shall appoint an attorney who shall be designated as court magistrate and who shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor and may from time to time be designated by the mayor to serve in his stead as the presiding official over the mayor's court. Whenever the magistrate is so designated by the mayor to preside over the mayor's court, he shall exercise the powers and authority of the mayor over said court. The magistrate shall serve at a salary fixed by and to be paid by the governing authority.