Monday, the fiscal court voted unanimously to give the ambulance service a loan until it can begin receiving a steady cash flow.

``I don't really think we have a choice," Lawrence County Magistrate Steve Sparks said. ``We have to do this because we need to keep an ambulance service in the county."

Life Star, the county's only on-site ambulance service, was briefly closed by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Services in June because of equipment problems.

It reopened in early July under the ownership of Larry Leedy, who had previously owned it from 1986 to 1995.

William Leedy, Larry Leedy's son, said his family has put thousands of dollars into Life Star to get it up and running again.

He said they have ``worked very hard to make Life Star a success."

Now, they are struggling to meet payroll and to keep the service open.

``It really took a lot to come to you and ask for money, but we've sunk the rest of our life savings into this and we can't do anymore," William Leedy told the fiscal court members.

``Right now, we've done all we can to do to cut costs. A lot of the family is working for free and we are trying to do whatever we can. It's just getting really difficult."

Lawrence County Magistrate Gary Nelson said he has reservations about the loan because Leedy was not required to put up any collateral.

``I guess I'm just kind of leery about this kind of thing," Nelson said. ``I have nothing against Life Star because I think they've done a great job.

``But, we're talking about taxpayers' money here and we need to be accountable for what happens."

Nelson said he has heard ``nothing but good" about the service since it reopened under Leedy.

According to Lawrence County Treasurer Sue Maynard, the county has never lost money on loans in the past.

``I guess we are just going to loan the money on goodwill and hope for the best," Sparks said.