85-3-212. Permit fee. The fee to be paid by each applicant for a permit must be equivalent to 1% of the estimated cost of the operation, the estimated cost to be computed by the department from the evidence available to it. The fee is due and payable to the department as of the date of issuance of the permit. However, if the applicant is able to give satisfactory security for the payment of the balance, the applicant may be permitted to commence the operation and a permit may be issued upon the payment of not less than 50% of the fee. The balance due must be paid within 3 months from the date of termination of the operation as prescribed in the permit.