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Manager's Profile
Now in her twelfth year as city manager of Derby, Kansas (population 23,633), Kathleen B. Sexton has led successful efforts to prepare five-year financial plans, implement a curbside single-stream recycling and trash franchise that reduced rates and enhanced service for more than 95% of residents, construct several city facilities and grow the organization to meet the needs of the growing city, create an indoor smoking ordinance, and develop a partnership with the Derby Chamber of Commerce to develop and manage the Derby Welcome Center.
The City of Derby has a $38 million annual budget, 242 employees, and a steady mill levy. It is a full-service city providing water, sewer, police, fire, and other municipal services in the metropolitan Wichita area of south-central Kansas. Derby has the 18th largest population in the state.
Key Decisions
During her tenure, Sexton made key hires for police chief, city attorney and human resources director. The organizational structure adapted to meet the needs of the growing city, and employee benefits have evolved to adjust to market conditions and changing financial realities. Business hours for most city offices expanded to meet customer needs (Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) in a budget-neutral manner while also providing additional flexibility to many employees.
Significant capital projects accomplished during her tenure include:
Of the nine members of the original governing body that hired Sexton in March 2006, one remains. The political climate is stable, the relationship with the at-large mayor and city council (four wards) is healthy. The mayor and city council provide annual performance feedback to Sexton. The city is guided by a clear mission, and the council reviews progress on priority goals quarterly.
Ms. Sexton earned the Master of Public Administration in 1992 and a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1989 from Wichita State University. She serves as an officer of the Kansas Association of City/County Management (KACM) and is a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association.
Kathy is active in service to the community through the Rotary Club of Derby, St. Mary Catholic Church, and the Derby Community Foundation.
In 2015, she completed a three-year term on the Governor's Council on Fitness, service on the Board of Directors and Governance Committee Chairmanship of the Wichita Business Coalition on Health Care, and a four-year term as a sustaining member of the Junior League of Wichita's Personnel Committee. In 2011, she completed a three-year term on the American Red Cross Central Plains Blood Services Division Board of Directors. In 2008, the WSU Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs recognized Ms. Sexton with the Alumni Award for Outstanding Public Service.
Ms. Sexton was assistant county manager of Sedgwick County Government from 2001 to 2006. As such, she led and managed an urban/rural county organization with a $345 million budget and 2,700 FTE positions.
When Kathy worked in the governor's budget office in Topeka, she founded the Capital-Area Chapter of the Wichita State University Alumni Association to provide alumni living in Topeka and Lawrence with an opportunity to connect with each other and support the Shockers.
Kathy is a lifelong Kansan, raised on a farm in southeast Kansas near the City of Walnut and alumnus of Girard High School. She is married to Eric Sexton. They reside in Derby.
Updated April 2018.
About Derby
The City of Derby has a $38 million annual budget, 242 employees, and a steady mill levy. It is a full-service city providing water, sewer, police, fire, and other municipal services in the metropolitan Wichita area of south-central Kansas. Derby has the 18th largest population in the state.
Key Decisions
During her tenure, Sexton made key hires for police chief, city attorney and human resources director. The organizational structure adapted to meet the needs of the growing city, and employee benefits have evolved to adjust to market conditions and changing financial realities. Business hours for most city offices expanded to meet customer needs (Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) in a budget-neutral manner while also providing additional flexibility to many employees.Capital Projects
Significant capital projects accomplished during her tenure include:
- New Public Works Facility, Public Library and Fire Station 81
- Addition of several miles bike path to the city's current 25-mile system
- Expansion of arterial streets Rock Road, Meadowlark Boulevard, Madison Avenue, and Buckner Street
- Extension of a major sewer interceptor to serve new developments
- Development of three new parks and event facilities
Governing Body
Of the nine members of the original governing body that hired Sexton in March 2006, one remains. The political climate is stable, the relationship with the at-large mayor and city council (four wards) is healthy. The mayor and city council provide annual performance feedback to Sexton. The city is guided by a clear mission, and the council reviews progress on priority goals quarterly.
Education & Service
Ms. Sexton earned the Master of Public Administration in 1992 and a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1989 from Wichita State University. She serves as an officer of the Kansas Association of City/County Management (KACM) and is a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association.
Kathy is active in service to the community through the Rotary Club of Derby, St. Mary Catholic Church, and the Derby Community Foundation.
In 2015, she completed a three-year term on the Governor's Council on Fitness, service on the Board of Directors and Governance Committee Chairmanship of the Wichita Business Coalition on Health Care, and a four-year term as a sustaining member of the Junior League of Wichita's Personnel Committee. In 2011, she completed a three-year term on the American Red Cross Central Plains Blood Services Division Board of Directors. In 2008, the WSU Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs recognized Ms. Sexton with the Alumni Award for Outstanding Public Service.
History
Ms. Sexton was assistant county manager of Sedgwick County Government from 2001 to 2006. As such, she led and managed an urban/rural county organization with a $345 million budget and 2,700 FTE positions.
When Kathy worked in the governor's budget office in Topeka, she founded the Capital-Area Chapter of the Wichita State University Alumni Association to provide alumni living in Topeka and Lawrence with an opportunity to connect with each other and support the Shockers.
Personal
Kathy is a lifelong Kansan, raised on a farm in southeast Kansas near the City of Walnut and alumnus of Girard High School. She is married to Eric Sexton. They reside in Derby.
Updated April 2018.