When a civil action is commenced against a county treasurer, county auditor, or person holding any town or district office, for performing or attempting to perform any duty authorized or directed by statute for the collection of the public revenue, such officer may, in the discretion of the court, by an order entered in the minutes thereof, be allowed reasonable counsel fees and other expenses for defending such action, and the amount of any damage and costs adjudged against the officer, to be paid from the county revenue fund.