In counties having a population of more than three hundred thousand (300,000) inhabitants the county counselor or his or her duly authorized deputy shall have the authority to institute an action in the name of the county commissioners against the owners, or supposed owners of real estate which has been or shall be sold and bid in by the county at any delinquent tax sale and shall remain unredeemed on the first day of September of the third year after such sale in the same manner as prescribed by statute to be done by the county attorney.

In connection therewith the county counselor is authorized to hire such person or persons as the volume of work dictates and as may be feasible, consistent with the money allowed to the county counselor by the county commissioners.

On and after the fifteenth day of September of each year, the county treasurer of said counties shall furnish to the county counselor a list of each tract, lot, parcel or piece of real estate which has been bid in by the county at any delinquent tax service and shall remain unredeemed on the first day of September of the third year after such sale and the name of the owner or supposed owner to whom the last tax statement or statements have been sent. The board of county commissioners of such county shall have the power to employ abstracters who are bonded and licensed under Kansas law to furnish title information necessary to bring such action and said county commissioners shall also be empowered to pay any bonded and licensed abstracters for any such services that have been furnished to the county from and after July 1, 1968.