A motion to equally share a $51,173.22 note payment and $53,766 in outstanding bills with the city was defeated 4-3 by the court Tuesday night.

The city on Monday night approved its share of the money.

"There's no doubt that it's a good outfit, they are good people and they do a good job," said Magistrate Ed Gorin. "We can only do what we can do."

Gorin voted against additional funding as did magistrates James Cochran, Orville Newton and J.W. McFarland.

It was a letter from Gorin, a member of Rescue's advisory board, which introduced the additional funding.

In that letter, Gorin on behalf of Rescue requests the payment on the note as well as outstanding bills. He also states in the letter that there is "discussion" of putting Rescue "with" either the county or city fire department.

"Either way, there would be additional financing required by the court and city council," Gorin says in the letter.

Early in the discussion about Rescue Tuesday night, Gorin asked Taylor County Attorney Craig Cox how an agreement reached last year regarding funding read. Cox said there was a "promise" of future payments on notes provided certain changes were made.

Those changes, such as monthly reports on finances and certain other restructuring, have been done, Cox said.

"I don't see how we are gong to give it if we don't got it," Cochran said.

"The city doesn't have it either," said Frank Metzmeier, a member of city council and Rescue's advisory board. "We had to go borrow the money. It will be there from the payroll tax."

McFarland said Rescue keeps coming back and asking for more money. Metzmeier said Rescue can't make it on what it generates. What's taken in from medical runs, he said, pays the salaries and "that's about it. Rescue is following the guidelines. They have to come back periodically for funds to operate on."

It takes about $750,000 a year to operate Rescue, Metzmeier said, and it generates about $350,000.

Discussion of putting Rescue under another "entity" has so far been discussed only in committee, Metzmeier said. None of the personnel know about it, he said, and such discussions at present are "out of school."

"The bottom line is that we are going to have to put dollars in if we are going to continue to have Rescue," Metzmeier said.

Charlie Shaw, volunteer chief of Campbellsville/Taylor County Rescue, said he was surprised by the court's action. The court in the past, he said, has always supported Rescue.

Any changes Rescue might make as a result of the court's action would have to be decided by the board, Shaw said. Until then, he said, Rescue will continue to provide the best possible care for the community.

Shaw was not at Tuesday night's meeting.

Lonzo Newton, who was in the audience Tuesday night, questioned Rescue's charges.

A five-mile trip to the hospital, Lonzo Newton said, cost him more than $400 for oxygen.

"They are robbing the people," Lonzo Newton said.

Cochran said he and "others" on the court have "had meetings" with Life First, a private ambulance service, which operates in the county.

"They said they are out there."

Metzmeier said there's a question of the kind of service the community wants.

Rescue has highly skilled paramedics and a very quick response time, Metzmeier said. Nationwide, he said, the chances of surviving a heart attack is 13 percent while locally it's 47 percent, due to Rescue.

The hospital is the only certified trauma center in the state because of Rescue, Metzmeier said. He said all of that protects citizens and also helps attract industries.

"We're talking about life here," Metzmeier said. "We are talking about saving people's lives. We are shorting the community if we provide less than the best we can."

Daryl Harmon, who was also in the audience Tuesday, asked Gorin how he could support additional lighting on streets near industries but be against Rescue.

That lightning near Campbellsville Industries will cost the county $98 per month.

It's a matter of what the county can afford, Gorin replied.

Linda Hayes, who was also in the audience, said she has needed Rescue in the past when her children were involved in accidents.

"If it came down to funding, would you pay $100,000 for your child's life if you needed an ambulance?" Hayes asked.

"We can only do what we can," Gorin said.

Metzmeier said Wednesday morning that he doesn't know what options Rescue has. The board, he said, will need to get together as quickly as possible and discuss the situation.

Operating only in the city really isn't a solution, Metzmeier said. "How would you determine if it is a city resident lying on KY 210?"