According to the news article, city accountant Henry Lee gave a report of the audit his firm completed on the financial status of Campbellsville/Taylor County Rescue.

Revenues are down, said Lee, and expenses are up.

"One of the biggest problems noted," he said, "is collections."

Rescue last year billed nearly $984,000, said Lee, but collected only 47 percent of that amount. A large part of the uncollected bills are for patients with Medicaid and Medicare.

Lee said he recommended several areas which need improvement. "No. 1 is collections," he said.

Other suggestions Lee said he made were to improve the filing system, reconcile Rescue's member list, and complete a policy manual.

Lee also said that one of the difficulties Rescue faces is a lack of personnel.

Council member Frank Metzmeier, who is also on Rescue's board of directors, agreed.

"We need a secretary who can keep track of these things," said Metzmeier, "but we just can't afford it.

"If you don't have it, you don't have it."

Metzmeier also addressed the issue of collections.

"Rescue serves a large percentage of people who do not have insurance or the funds to pay," he said. "We have a lot of indigent people, and they've got to go somewhere."

Rescue, said Metzmeier, unlike its competitor, treats its patients first and then asks about insurance.

Council member Mike Ramsey, who, as deputy chief of Rescue abstained from voting on the issue, was asked about collection percentages.

From what he could gather from other communities, Ramsey said, there's really not a lot more out there that's collectible.

"Once you get into the 50 to 55 percent range," said Ramsey, "that's about as much as you'll get."

Council member Terry Coyle agreed.

"It sounds like we're doing all we can do at this point as far as billing percentages," said Coyle.

Later in the meeting, Metzmeier asked the council for its assistance with Rescue's outstanding bills.

"Several key suppliers have cut off credit," he said.

The council several months ago agreed to pay half of the operating costs for Rescue, said Metzmeier, and he was asking for half of the $80,000 in outstanding bills to be paid.

Council member Willard Smith seconded Metzmeier's motion.

"We have to take care of the major issues," said Smith, "and this is one of them."

Council member Sue Chandler asked Metzmeier what needs to be done to help Rescue for the future.

"We are always temporarily fixing this," she said. "What do we really need to do to fix it for the long term?"

The only real solution, Metzmeier answered, is for Rescue to become an entity of city/county government.

Council member Dr. Jimmy Ewing suggested that a committee be formed to look into the matter, but he also requested that someone look into assistance from fiscal court.

"We're only the answer to half the question," said Ewing.

Coyle suggested the council investigate the possibility of the city alone taking over Rescue.

"If we're going to take this bull by the horns," he said, "then let's do it."