SAVANNAH, Mo. — Andrew County Ambulance District board members were on edge but polite during a sometimes contentious meeting Monday.

Board members and the director took issue with the way board member Marvin “Ed” Chrisman has started a petition for a state audit.

“Do you understand that with no proof we couldn’t take action,” said Theresa Schneider, the board secretary. “You called for the suspension of the director.”

Board president Tracy Stroud said, “You were bullying us.”

Ms. Schneider went on to say she’s “not comfortable” unless a police officer is present at the meetings. A Savannah police officer was present Monday.

Mr. Chrisman said he felt he had to take action.

“I’m not the bad guy,” he said. “I lost sleep over it but I had a responsibility to taxpayers.”

The board’s attorney, Frank Foster, confirmed that the lack of an audit was a legitimate concern.

The board is having an audit by a certified public accountant during the 2010 budget year, Mr. Foster said.

“Hopefully, this will solve things in the future,” Mr. Foster said.

Questioned about whether the audit would include previous years, he said it would, but didn’t specify how far back.

Mr. Chrisman said it’s been 10 years or longer since the last financial audit.

Because of the cost involved and the disruption of administrative services, Mr. Foster said he personally didn’t recommend a state audit.

Mr. Chrisman also questioned the employee 401(k) program.

This continues to be an issue, said Vicki Groce, the district’s director. The consensus after talks with Mr. Foster is that the board should move all monies into a not-for-profit plan administered at the state level.

The current plan is for a for-profit business and inappropriate for the ambulance district, Mr. Foster said.

The use of the district’s credit card also required changes in policy, he said.

The public meeting ended after more than two hours when the board went into an executive session with its attorney.

Ms. Groce said she’d obtained outside legal advise because questions could be damaging to the district’s and her reputation.

Marshall White can be reached

at marshall@npgco.com.