Premier Community Healthcare Group, the county’s federally qualified health center (FQHC), asked the commission Oct. 28 to consider allocating about 6,000 square feet vacated by the tax collector in Spring Hill for a pharmacy and 12 family‑medicine exam rooms.

President and CEO Jody Resnick and CFO Aaron Brandt said the FQHC — which operates the county’s federally funded primary‑care clinic locations — sought the space to reduce appointment wait times and to provide an on‑site pharmacy with discounted medication for low‑income patients. Resnick told the board that roughly 4,000 Hernando residents currently travel to Pasco County for Premier services and that local demand and uninsured counts justify expanded capacity.

Resnick described a two‑phase plan: build a pharmacy first (about 1,000 sq. ft.), then convert the remainder of the 6,000 sq. ft. into additional exam rooms and clinical space. He said implementation would take six to nine months for the pharmacy and 10–18 months for full build‑out, and that some Medicaid/insurer enrollment and pharmacy‑network approvals take additional time. He said the FQHC had secured initial funding for the pharmacy and expected to pursue grants and other financing for full expansion.

County administrator staff told the board that multiple county spaces are in play — including the building that houses the health department and the vacated tax‑collector suite — and that the sheriff’s office and other departments have future space needs to be evaluated. Administrator staff recommended a county‑led space analysis of the existing health‑department building and other county‑owned spaces before a formal lease or allocation is approved, to ensure the best long‑term use of county property and to coordinate any necessary building code upgrades and parking requirements.

Commissioners expressed support for the FQHC’s mission and for a thorough planning review. Several asked staff to explore joint‑facility options with other social‑service providers (for example, colocating with other partners) and to ensure sufficient parking, insurance and permitting details are addressed in any lease.

Ending: County staff will perform a space‑use and needs analysis of the health‑department building and county properties, coordinate with the FQHC, and return to the board with options for how to allocate or adapt county space for expanded primary care and a pharmacy.