Bell and Harlan counties are included with 25 other eastern Kentucky counties sharing in the return of more than $1.3 million to the Single County Coal Severance accounts.

Harlan County is designated to receive $144,616.16 and Bell County will receive $58,771.18.

Gov. Matt Bevin and the Department for Local Government announced the amounts this week.

“It was a surprise, a pleasant surprise,” said Harlan County Judge-Executive Dan Mosley. “Usually the surprises we get aren’t pleasant. We are thankful that they decided to put the money back where it’s needed most, and that’s in these coal countries, particularly at a time when many are struggling to stay open.”

Mosley said he does not know yet how county leaders will decide to spend the money. The Harlan County Fiscal Court will meet again on Tuesday.

“We obviously have had a significant amount of debt that we have inherited from previous administrations, so a lot of times we allow some of our coal severance funds to cover our debt payments,” he said. “But we are also working on a state-certified economic development site. Those funds could go toward that project. There are a variety of options.”

In making the announcement, Bevin said, “These funds will enable county leaders to address increased demands on their operating budgets and other vital community needs.”

DLG will deposit the recovered funds into the accounts for use in their counties.

“I deeply appreciate the governor returning the coal severance funds to the county,” Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock said. “In the past Frankfort would have dumped it into the state’s general fund and we would have been none the wiser.

“As for the use of the funds, we are in the process of doing an energy efficiency and cost savings update on the old courthouse and the 58k will go directly to that project,” Brock said.