As forth herein, the County shall determine and establish a reasonable fee sufficient to cover the costs of processing the application including the cost of holding the necessary hearings. 

A.  If a Permit is required, then within thirty (30) days the Administrator shall establish an estimate in an amount necessary to cover costs of reviewing and processing the application, including costs of copying, mailings, publications, labor, overhead and retention of consultants, experts and attorneys that the County deems necessary to advise it on the application package. 

B.  Once the estimate is established, the Administrator shall notify the applicant in writing of said fee and its amount.  Following receipt of such notice, the applicant shall present to the Permit Authority certified funds in the amount set. Until the fee is paid, the application for Permit shall not be further processed. 

C.  The actual costs incurred by the County to process the application shall be deducted from the application fee.  The Administrator shall keep an accurate record of the actual time, and other costs, required for processing the application.  If the balance of fees falls below a minimum balance established by the Administrator, additional billings shall be made to the Applicant commensurate with the additional costs incurred by the County.  The County may cease processing the application pending receipt of additional installments.

D.  The County will deposit in an interest-bearing account that portion of the fee which is not necessary to cover current costs and expenses.  Interest earned on the account shall belong to the Applicant and will be applied by the County toward costs and expenses in processing the Application.  Any portion of the fee, which is not necessary to cover the cost of processing the application, will be reimbursed to the Applicant.

E.  The Permit Authority may in its sole discretion waive all or a portion of the fees if the applicant demonstrates a special need or such waiver of fees is found to be in the best interests of the citizens of Pueblo County.