It is the duty of the clerk of the board of county commissioners or his designee, to whom such application is made, to investigate, or cause to be investigated, the grounds of such application, and require the person and other such persons as may be deemed necessary, to testify under oath, and shall file a statement of findings with the board of the county. At the discretion and by resolution of the board, the clerk or his designee to whom such application is made may authorize the expenditure of sums as may be necessary to provide the immediate necessities of such person, not exceeding an aggregate sum as determined by the board which amount may exceed two hundred dollars ($200) per applicant.