The Derby Recreation Board of Directors consists of five volunteer members. The Board meets every second Tuesday of the month at the Derby Recreation Center 801 E. Market at 7:00pm in an open forum. Appointments are for four years. Two members are appointed by the USD 260 School District, two from the City of Derby and one at large.
WHAT IS THE DERBY RECREATION COMMISSION? In the April 1980 general election, the citizens of USD 260 voted to create a 1 mill levy tax assessment for the establishment of an organized recreation program throughout USD 260. The vote was made possible through a joint resolution drawn by the city of Derby and the USD 260 board in accordance with state statutes. The Derby Recreation Commission is an autonomous governmental body governed by a five-member board. The board is appointed by the city of Derby (two members) the school board (two members) and an at-large appointment. WHAT DOES THE DERBY RECREATION COMMISSION PROVIDE? The Derby Recreation Commission’s primary goal is to provide public recreation programming. The DRC provides both youth and adult programming as well as Special Programs. Youth programming area includes recreation and special activities, the arts, sports, and aquatics. Adult programming area includes fitness, sports, the arts and aquatics. Special Programs area includes senior citizens, teens, special populations and Cooper/Oaklawn programs. In addition, the DRC operates the Derby Recreation Center, the Oaklawn Activity Center, assists in the maintenance of city and school ball facilities, operates and manages Rock River Rapids, maintains a transportation system for leisure activities and assists local leagues and groups with their leisure pursuits. In 2007, the DRC provided programming and services for 595,804 participants. HOW IS THE DRC FUNDED? The DRC is funded through a school district wide mill levy, user fees, rentals, and gifts and grants. In 2007 the Derby Recreation Commission General Fund budget was funded 53% through tax support and 47% through alternate sources. HOW MUCH DOES THE DRC COST YOU IN TAXES? In 2007 the mill levy rate for the Derby Recreation Commission was 6.262 mills. The tax which supports the Derby Recreation Commission equates to $79.30 per year or $6.61 per month for the owner of a $100,000 home. The tax rate for the DRC in 2008 is 6.895. Approximately 5.15% of a USD 260 resident’s total property tax bill goes to the Derby Recreation Commission. WHAT DO MY TAX DOLLARS GO FOR? User fees and non-tax revenues support most program costs. Tax dollars are used to cover debt service, capitol improvements, a portion of maintenance, administrative costs, benefits and insurance. DOES THE DRC UTILIZE VOLUNTEERS OR IS ALL THE STAFF PAID? Paid professionals plan, organize and orchestrate Derby Recreation Commission programs. The quality and supervision of our programs could not be maintained without a large number of dedicated volunteers. In 2007, approximately 656 volunteers gave over 10,569 hours serving on advisory committees, as teachers, coaches, supervisors, and leaders. Without the assistance of volunteers, the Derby Recreation Commission would not be able to offer the extensive program schedule that it does. CAN THE DRC LEVY TAXES? No. Any tax increase request must be first of all, be approved by the USD 260 board and is then subject to approval by residents of USD 260. Taxes for the Derby Recreation Commission are collected by the county clerk, distributed to USD 260 and then passed on to the Derby Recreation Commission. The taxes distributed to USD 260 for the Derby Recreation Commission do not limit the amount of funding which can be provided for educational purposes. State statutes allow for the creation of recreation commissions which do not in any way reduce the dollars collected or available for educational purposes.
