Official Results

67% yes (1,045) 32% no (492)
Sedgwick County Election Office, Oct. 14, 2013

Timeline

2015: City began collecting sales tax

2016: Madison Avenue Central Park opened in October

2017: Design Phase 1 Ballfield Complex/Dog Park

2019/2020: Construct Phase 1 Ballfield Complex/Dog Park

2020: Dog Park opened in October

2021: Phase 1 Ballfield Complex opened in May

2024: Collection of the tax ends December 31. 

Overview

Derby citizens voted on the Derby Difference Sales Tax on Oct. 8, 2013.

What will the sales tax create?

• The Derby Difference Sales Tax will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors by funding (1) construction of a new central park, a tournament-quality baseball/softball complex, and a dog park; (2) add emergency response personnel and equipment to improve response times in our growing community; and (3) fund Derby Public Library operating expenses.

Is this a tax increase?

• No, this is not a tax increase.
• The Derby Difference Sales Tax is a half-cent sales tax that will replace the current half-cent Library Sales Tax, passed in 2007, which paid for construction of the Derby Public Library and continues to pay library operating expenses.

Why a half-cent sales tax?

• The Derby Difference Sales Tax is a fair way to share the expense of city improvements with visitors.
• Shopping and restaurant dining in Derby draw people from a 50-mile radius.
• This sales tax ensures out-of-towners help pay for services that they use but are otherwise funded by Derby property taxes.
• Derby’s sales tax has historically been the second-lowest in the region (and our property tax is third-lowest).
• Rather than just funding the library, this same amount of tax can also improve Derby Fire & Rescue services and Derby parks during the next 10 years.
• For every $100 spent in Derby, 50 cents would go to improve Derby.
• This tax generates approximately $2 million per year, which is the equivalent of 11 mills of property tax.

Good Track Record

• In Derby, we do what we say we are going to do. In 2003, residents decided a half-cent sales tax would be a good way to fund a new aquatic park. Rock River Rapids was built, and the tax ended in 2009.
• In 2007, citizens approved the half-cent Library Sales Tax to build and pay operating expenses of a new library. This tax began in 2010 and ended on Dec. 31, 2014 because the building costs were paid.

Why does Derby Fire & Rescue need more personnel?