Sec. 9. (a) The applicants shall pay all expenses incurred by the department in performing its duty under this chapter.
(b) At the time of filing the application, the applicants shall deposit with the department the amount of money fixed by the department necessary to defray the expenses incurred by the department in implementing this chapter with respect to the application.
(c) The department shall return to the applicants any balance remaining after proceedings under this chapter are completed.