In every county having a city whose population is not less than 53,000, the board of county commissioners may by unanimous vote, and shall upon petition of 30% of the electors of the county, procure the necessary ground and erect and maintain suitable buildings for a parental home for children within the county who are homeless, deprived, wayward, miscreant, delinquent, children in need of care or juvenile offenders.
K.S.A. 38-505