City of Derby

Kathleen B. Sexton Personal Profile

Now in her seventh year as City Manager of Derby, Kansas (population 22,231), Sexton has led successful efforts to design and gain approval of a curbside single-stream recycling and trash franchise that reduced rates and enhanced service for more than 95% of residents, a new public library ($7M project that received highest voter approval in recent local history), an indoor smoking ordinance, and a new partnership with the Derby Chamber of Commerce to develop and manage the new Derby Welcome Center.

The City of Derby has a $33 million annual budget, 190 employees, and steady/slightly declining 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 is the 18th largest city in the state.

During her tenure, Sexton has made key hires for police chief, human resources director, assistant city manager, and community marketing director. The organizational structure has been adapted to meet the needs of the growing city, and employee benefits have been modified to adjust to market conditions and changing financial realities.

Significant capital projects accomplished during her tenure include expansion of arterial streets Rock Road, Meadowlark Boulevard, Madison Avenue, and Buckner Street; biosolids enhancements at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, extension of a major sewer interceptor to serve new developments, several miles of bike path to the city’s current 22 mile system, a new Public Works Facility, and the development phase of two new parks.

During this same time period, commercial development has been prolific including retail, medical, and multi-family housing. Construction of single-family homes has occurred at a pace of 80-150 new homes per year. Proactive communications and strong partnerships with both public and private sector organizations have been key to Derby’s success.

Of the nine members of the original governing body that hired Sexton in March 2006, four remain. 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.

Ms. Sexton earned the Master of Public Administration in 1992 and a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1989 from Wichita State University. She is an active member of the Kansas Association of City/County Management and a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association.

Kathy currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Wichita Business Coalition on Health Care, an organization begun in 2008 to advance a greater role for employers in enhancing the value received for the health care dollars spent for employee health. Kathy is active in service to the community through the Rotary Club of Derby, and the Derby Community Foundation.

In 2011, she completed a three-year term on the American Red Cross Central Plains Blood Services Division Board of Directors. In 2008, she was recognized by the WSU Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs with the Alumni Award for Outstanding Public Service. She has been active with Visioneering Wichita since 2004 to set a strategic agenda for the Wichita metro area (four counties) and work over a 20-year period to achieve the vision.

Ms. Sexton was Assistant County Manager of Sedgwick County Government from 2001 to February 2006. As such, she led and managed an urban/rural county organization with a $345 million budget and 2,700 FTE positions. She began her career with Sedgwick County in 1995, serving in several management positions prior to becoming Assistant County Manager.

From 1992 to 1995, 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 the Topeka and Lawrence area with an opportunity to connect with each other and support the Shockers. She later served on the Board of Directors and as President of the WSU Alumni Association and was recognized with its Young Alumni Award.

Kathy is a lifelong Kansan, having been raised on a farm in Southeast Kansas near the City of Walnut and having attended Girard High School. She is married to Eric Sexton. They reside in Derby.

Updated January 2012

Questions or comments? Contact the Web Manager.