Like many Counties in eastern Kentucky Letcher is suffering from the decline of Coal severance funds, and is having to take a closer look at where it is spending its money. According to Judge Executive Jim Ward the recycling plant suffered from a nearly 200-thousand dollar shortfall last year, and the county does not have the excess income to cover that kind of loss. The Fiscal Court just recently raised the bill for garbage pickup to 3 dollars, and according to Ward to continue recycling services that would have to increase by another 3 dollars. The Court will discuss the fate of the plant at their December 29th meeting.