DERBY, Kan. (KAKE) - City of Derby council members voted Tuesday to move forward with the final phase of its star bond tourist development plan.

This means lots of new attractions are coming to town including a man-made lagoon, an indoor heated water park, new apartments, a hotel, "glamping" sites and more.

With a vote of 8-0, Derby City Council board members made a big decision to proceed with the fourth and final phase of a tourist development project.

"We have worked really hard to grow Derby without raising taxes, and that is what star bonds have allowed us to do,” said Randy White. 

Developers of the Star Bond plan say they would bring a lot of business to Derby, with a whopping price tag of just over 32 million dollars.”

"With this step, it was an important step so I can move forward getting loans and commitments from all the other components,” said Rick Worner, with Derby Destination Development.

The project will include an outdoor sports complex, a man-made public access lagoon and indoor water park, a hotel, an aerial park, elevated camping areas.

And even new apartments and senior housing, the mayor says, are really needed in the community.

But not everyone is excited about the approval.

"At some point you have to stop throwing good money after that. At some point you have to cut your losses, roll up the red carpet and fence developer packing. That point is now,” said Nicole Boyer, a Derby resident. 

Many complaints made by Derby residents included unfinished projects promised in previous phases.

"We have been lied to about the money. Many city officials justify this codependent relationship by saying since it's not city money, it's basically for free. But it's not free money. It's your money and my money, harder tax money,” said Ann Myers, another Derby resident. 

Some of the projects that have already been approved through the use of star bonds include the field station dinosaur park that opened its doors in 2018, rock regional hospital that opened in 2019, a medical office building which opened in 2020.

And the Derby sports zone which is set to open this year and RoKC climbing gym which is anticipating construction this year.

"I get it, nobody likes taxes. Everybody wonders where their money is going. This is a state sponsored event. The state is the one that is actually invested in Derby and we get a request to support that investment and that’s what we did tonight,” said White