The STAR bond program is a public/private partnership to use some of the state and local sales tax revenue generated within the district to facilitate development of attractions and related infrastructure (streets, water lines, etc.) that draw visitors to the area. The majority of STAR bonds are paid for using State sales tax. 

Also, city transient guest tax revenue (paid by people who stay overnight in Derby hotels) is used to pay for construction of the outdoor adventure attractions. All businesses in the STAR bond district pay property taxes and income taxes. The STAR Bond district does not have any increased sales tax or other tax that people pay when they shop in the district. 

For more information. contact the Derby City Clerk at cityclerk@derbyweb.com or 316-788-3132. 

Project Timeline

September 2015 
The City Council pass­ed an ordinance establishing the STAR bond project district. 

July 2016 
The City held a Public Hearing to received feedback from the public on the proposed STAR Bond project that includes a hospital and dinosaur park. The Council adopted an ordinance approving the project plan for the STAR bond projects and adopted an ordinance approving a development agreement with Derby Destination Development, LLC relating to the STAR bond projects.

October 2016
The Kansas Department of Commerce approved $18.9 million in STAR bonds for the Derby project.

March 2017
The City Council adopted an ordinance approving the sale of the STAR bonds for the related projects and infrastructure.

May 26, 2018
Field Station: Dinosaurs opened.

October 2018
The City Council amended the development agreement with Derby Destination Development to allow the required hotel to be anywhere in the District and to include a multi-sport attraction that includes indoor & outdoor courts, outdoor sand courts and games, and a restaurant. 

April 24, 2019
Rock Regional Hospital opened. 

August 2019
The City Council adopted an ordinance to expand the District to add an area east of Rock Road, south of 63rd, north of Tall Tree to accommodate the multi-sport complex. 

January 2020
The City Council adopted the first amendment to the STAR Bond project plan and second amendment to the development agreement with Derby Destination Development. The amendments allowed for the construction of the multi-sport facility and associated infrastructure in the amount of $8,095,564 in new STAR bond proceeds. 

May 2020
The City Council adopted a second amendment to the STAR Bond project plan and third amendment to the development agreement to include a rock-climbing and BMX facility. An additional $4.5M in STAR bond proceeds would be part of the plan. 

June 2020
City closed on the sale of STAR bond series 2020. 

September 2021
City Council heard a request to expand STAR bond district to provide for new multi-sport attraction consisting of several businesses including the following:    

• A man-made public access lagoon with beach activities (scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkeling and other water sports), aerial park, and indoor and outdoor event venues
• Six-acre glamping site, offering glamorous camping on permanent platforms with amenities such as running water, plumbing, electricity, etc.
• 150 room hotel, offering exclusive beach access and indoor pool
• Approximately 300 unit apartment complex
• Senior living units
• Retail, restaurants, and other commercial uses
• Relocation of RoKC climbing facility and BMX track adjacent to The Sandbox at Derby

October 2021
The City Council approved expansion of the district.

May 2022
The City Council approved the third amendment to the STAR bond project plan and fourth amendment to the development agreement. The Secretary of Commerce for Kansas approved the STAR bond project plan amendment. 

June 2022
The City Council approved the STAR bond sale to provide $32,250,000 in new STAR bond proceeds for the infrastructure and identified eligible projects.