City Manager's Profile


Derby City Manager Kathy Sexton will retire December 10, 2021. The City Council approved an employment agreement on August 27, 2021 to appoint Kiel Mangus, current Deputy City Manager, as the new City Manager after Kathy's retirement.

Kathleen B. Sexton has served as city manager of Derby for the last 16 years. She has led successful efforts to prepare the Vision Derby 2040 comprehensive plan, gain approval of a half-cent sales tax for community enhancement and core city services, implement a curbside single-stream recycling and trash franchise that reduced rates and enhanced service for more than 95% of residents, construct multiple city facilities and parks, and partner with the Derby Chamber of Commerce to create the Derby Welcome Center.

About Derby


The City of Derby has a $42 million annual budget, 230 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 16th largest population in the state (25,625) and in 2020 became a city of the first class (per Kansas Statutes).

Key Decisions

During her tenure, Sexton hired police and fire chiefs, and many other key decision-making positions, and the organizational structure adapted to meet the needs of the growing city. In 2009, 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 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 of bike path to the city's current 25-mile system
  • Expansion of streets, water and sewer mains, stormwater and other infrastructure
  • Extension of a major sewer interceptor to serve new residential developments
  • Development of three new regional parks and event facilities
During this same time period, commercial development has been prolific including retail, medical, entertainment and multi-family housing. Construction of single-family homes has occurred at a pace of 45-100 new homes per year. Proactive communications and strong partnerships have been keys to Derby's success.

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. Her tenure at Sedgwick County was 1995-2006.

When Kathy worked in the governor's budget office in Topeka (1992-1995), 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.

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 served as president in 2020 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, KACM Foundation Trustees, St. Mary Catholic Church, Visit Wichita Board of Directors, 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.


Personal


Kathy is a lifelong Kansan raised on a farm in southeast Kansas near the City of Walnut and an alumnus of Girard High School. She is married to Eric Sexton. They reside in Derby. Together they support Sexton Scholarship funds at the WSU Foundation and Halstead Community Foundation in memory of his parents, Linwood and Delores Sexton.

Deputy City Manager's Profile



History


Kiel joined the City of Derby in November 2018. Prior to that he was the Assistant City Manager in Manhattan from 2014 to 2018. He also spent time as the Public Works Director in Frederick, Colorado and Assistant to the City Administrator in Goddard, Kansas. As Deputy City Manager, he directly oversees the Fire & Rescue Department, Public Works & Parks, Finance Department, Senior Services, Municipal Court, Emergency Manager, and Administration & Operations. He oversees emergency management coordination and ADA Coordination for the city. 

Education & Service


Kiel received his master’s degree in Public Administration from Wichita State with certificates in City/County Management and Public Finance. He also has a bachelor’s degree in Construction Science and Management from Kansas State University. Kiel is an active member of the Kansas Association of City/County Management (KACM) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). He is president of the Derby Noon Lions Club.

Personal


Kiel grew up in the Mulvane area and is an alumnus of Mulvane High School. He is married to Danielle, a registered nurse, and they have a daughter and two sons. They reside in Derby. 
Updated September 2021