WOODVILLE — After months of contending with Lake Mary’s damaged spillway, Wilkinson County supervisors are asking state representatives and Adams County supervisors for their help and support.

While most of Lake Mary resides in Wilkinson County, the spillway is located in Adams County.

Both counties say they can’t afford the repair costs needed for the structure.

Wilkinson County Supervisor Jennings Nettles said he was originally told it would take approximately $3 million to repair the spillway, but after meeting with Jordan, Kaiser & Sessions, LLC, the cost to temporarily patch the structure would cost around $450,000 until further work can be done.

The company has also projected a full rebuilding of the spillway would cost $2.5 million.

The spillway’s purpose is to regulate the lake’s low-water level and help retain the lake’s water, but that hasn’t been the case recently as the lake had lost much of its water before the Mississippi River began to rise.

Nettles said he and fellow residents of Wilkinson County are fearful they will lose revenue from sportsmen and homeowners who live on the lake if water levels drop.

“It’s a big issue, and it’s growing by the day. That’s 25 to 30 percent of our tax base,” Nettles said.

Nettles said the building and repair costs have been sent to Reps.Sam Mims and Angela Cockerham.

“A lot of doors have opened up,” Nettles said. “We have some numbers submitted and got them to the representatives. They are in session, so maybe some things will happen there,” Nettles said.

Nettles said the last time he spoke with Adams County supervisors, he hadn’t received quotes on how much money it would take to repair the spillway.

And now, while the county waits to see if the state can help fund either the fixing or replacing of the spillway, Nettles said Wilkinson County needs Adams County’s support.

Nettles said the repair plan is fairly simple.

“We proposed driving sheet pile in as a retaining wall — a wing wall to the spillway,” Nettles said.

Cement would then be pumped under the cavern and covered in dirt.

“There is nothing scientific about it. It’s just about appropriating the funds. I think we’ve got the right people working on it, and it will happen,” Nettles said.

“Right now, if it comes to a meeting, just their presence and their moral support (is what we need),” Nettles said.

“We’re reaching out to everybody. I need to talk to (Board President) Darryl Grennell and see if Adams County can pitch in financially or maybe send letters to state and federal representatives telling them about the spillway,” Nettles said.

Grennell said the board of supervisors will gladly offer Wilkinson County its support, but financially helping fund the repair costs is out of the question.

“As far as supporting the spillway through talking to our legislative delegation to get an appropriation with them, I think (the board) will be more than happy to do that,” Grennell said.

Grennell said at the board’s next meeting, he would discuss adopting a resolution of support for the endeavor of fixing the spillway.

“But as far as the county putting up any money, we haven’t approved any money in this year’s budget for this spillway,” Grennell said. “There is no way we could build a structure down there when we have roads that are in bad shape that need to be overlaid.”

Nettles said just the support of the board is enough for right now.

“We’ll let the (legislators) handle it right now, and see where it goes from there.

“We are soliciting support from any place we can get it. We are going to lose that lake if something doesn’t happen,” Nettles said.