Section 7. License Application -- Filing and Investigation.

A. All license applications under the provisions of this chapter shall be filed with the County Clerk, along with Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars to be used for investigation. The County Clerk shall place the application on the agenda of a Board's regularly scheduled meeting at the earliest possible date.

B. Upon presentation of any license application to the Board, the Board shall refer such application to the County Sheriff for investigation. The Sheriff shall conduct a full investigation of all information contained in the license application, which investigation shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following :

1. A complete check of all records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and any other similar organization concerning the criminal record of any applicant ;

2. A personal interview with each applicant ;

3. An interview, either personal or by mail, with all employers of the applicant and business associates of the applicant, as shown in the license application ;

4. Examination of the financial statement and financial background of the applicant ;

5. Any other investigation deemed necessary or useful by the Sheriff.

C. As soon as practicable after any application is referred by the Board to the Sheriff, the Sheriff shall report the results of his investigation in writing to the Board, such report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following :

1. A complete statement of the results of all investigations undertaken ;

2. A list of any errors or omissions found to exist in the application ;

3. An evaluation of the personal and financial status and background of the applicant.

D. Within thirty (30) days after receiving the Sheriff's report. the Board may :

1. Refer the application back to the Sheriff for additional investigation ;

2. Require a personal interview with the applicant ;

3. Require the applicant to submit additional information relative to his application ;

4. Grant or refuse to grant a license under the provisions of this chapter.

E. The Board may refuse to grant a license to any applicant who in the opinion of the Board is not appropriate :

1. Who has been convicted of any felony ;

2. Who is financially insolvent or undergone a prior bankruptcy proceeding ;

3. Who has a history of financial instability ;

4. Who has willfully omitted or incorrectly stated any material fact in the application ;

5. Who has any financial interest in, or connection with, any business which is illegal where such business is located ;

6. Whose license under the provisions of this chapter would be not in the best interest of the health, welfare, or safety of the County, or its residents ;

7. Whose proposed establishment is not in correct zoning ;

8. Who has associates that the Board considers inappropriate for the operation of this privileged business.

F. Upon denying any application for a license under the provisions of this chapter, the Board may grant the applicant thirty (30) days within which to cure any defect in the application, and such application may be again submitted to the Board for consideration, as herein provided, within thirty (30) days after such denial.

G. The Board shall grant or refuse to grant a license after consideration of any application. Any refusal to grant a license will be accompanied by the specific findings of fact and reasons for the denial.