County employees could benefit from a new, on-site medical clinic, and the county could save some money, too.

The Citrus County Commission voted 4-1 to enter into an agreement with "Care Here," an organization already servicing Citrus County Schools.

Under the agreement, the county would try out the service for one year to see how much money it would save in medical costs for county employees, and after that, could either opt-out or continue the contract to a term of three years. The clinic would be staffed with a general practitioner and a staff that is practiced in preventative medicine.

Noting that the county has seen a 15 percent increase per employee, per year, Garin Group spokesperson Anna Marie Stanley told commissioners that having an on-site medical clinic would save the county money, as well as provide a front line for preventative medical care for county employees. Her firm helps administer the county's healthcare insurance needs.

Among the benefits she listed to commissioners were more accessible heatlthcare for county employees, early detection of medical problems and one-on-one consultation between the patient and a primary care physician.

Speaking on behalf of "Care Here" was spokesperson John Watson. Watson noted that his company's services are in use at about 20 health centers in the state, to include clinics in schools and cities. "The clinic provides a voluntary, no-cost option (for employees)," Watson said. "Patients can be seen within 30 minutes, and leave with medications in hand."

Watson estimated that the county could save $200,000 in the first year of the clinic's operation, and over three years could save "right at" $1 million.

Commissioner Rebecca Bays, the lone dissenting vote against the clinic's establishment, said she was concerned about the quality of the doctor who would be in the clinic. "They're not the best of the best," she said. She also wondered if a low salary would be attractive to doctors, and said she was concerned that the presence of the clinic would impact other physicians' business, as well as pharmacies and other health-related business.

The impact would be minimal, Watson said, and he reminded commissioners that the clinic is just a clinic - not specializing in areas such as radiology, oncology or other specialized fields.

The cost of running the clinic would be $642,000, and would be paid for out of the monies already allotted in the county's budget ($200,000 per year).

"We're paying for this service anyway," said County Administrator Brad Thorpe.