Victims of property crimes in Douglas County soon could be receiving up to $500 in reimbursement from a new, first-of-its-kind program endorsed Wednesday evening.

Douglas County commissioners agreed to form a Property Crimes Compensation Board, a program sought by District Attorney Charles Branson to help victims of theft, vandalism and other property crimes.

Commissioners agreed to allow Branson to establish the program, using $15,000 generated through fees paid by people applying to receive diversions instead of jail time.

“In these tough economic times, using funds generated by defendants to help victims of crime only makes sense,” Branson said.

The three-member board — to be appointed by commissioners — would approve payouts to victims based on the extent and circumstances of crimes.

Victims of felonies would be eligible to receive up to $500 from the board, while victims of misdemeanors could seek up to $250.

The board would be the first in Kansas to be established under a state law approved in 1990. Saline County has a similar program, in place since before the state law took effect.

Branson hopes to have the board up and running by April.