Flooding problems in southern Sedgwick County remained unresolved after a special county commission meeting Tuesday.

Residents in the area of 95th Street South and Hillside have experienced basement flooding in recent weeks with heavy rains and a rise in groundwater levels.  They are asking the county to take steps to reduce the flooding, and the county asked the city of Derby to turn on two water wells to provide relief.    The county’s public works director, David Spears, briefed commissioners on his talks with Derby officials, and he said the wells have not been used in three years.   One of the wells is not operational and Derby officials asked the county for a firm commitment of $70,000 to help with repairs.    Spears said Derby officials are also concerned that the use of the two wells would not solve the problem.

Commissioner Jim Howell made a motion to provide $15,000 to turn at least one of the wells, but the motion failed on a 3-2 vote.  Howell and commissioner Michael O’Donnell voted yes, but chairman David Dennis and commissioners Lacey Cruse and Pete Meitzner voted no.    Dennis said he’s not convinced that the wells will help, and he said an analysis found there would only be a limited effect on 11 houses in the area.

Commissioners adjourned the meeting without a formal decision but indicated they would have more discussions with Derby officials.  The Derby City Commission was planning to talk about the flooding issue at a meeting Tuesday night.