The Gadsden County Commission voted 3–2 to approve a $200,000 agreement with Browning Medical and Wellness LLC to support a new primary care clinic in the Town of Havana, county staff said. The funding will be disbursed in two $100,000 installments tied to contract milestones: an executed lease with the Town of Havana and proof of operational launch (licensure, staffing and onboarding).

Supporters said the clinic could expand access to primary care in rural parts of the county. Lamonte Horn, a Gadsden County resident who spoke during public comment, said he supported expanding local care and noted long travel times to the nearest clinic in Quincy.

Opponents and several commissioners pressed for a more formal procurement or grant policy, arguing the county had not used a competitive process to allocate these funds. Commissioner Holt said the county should issue an RFQ/RFP or adopt a policy establishing eligibility, performance expectations and accountability before committing public dollars. Holt warned the current approach risked inconsistent decision‑making and possible litigation.

The county attorney told commissioners he reviewed the county procurement policy (last provided to staff as of 06/21/2022) and did not interpret this agreement as governed by the procurement policy because the contract does not create a service the county will itself receive; instead, the attorney said, the county’s support operates more like a grant to a private provider. The attorney described safeguards in the drafted agreement that withhold any disbursement until Browning furnishes an executed lease with the town and the county administrator and county attorney approve operations.

Commissioners also debated the minimum share of indigent patients the clinic must serve. The agenda memo initially referenced a 20% commitment; the draft contract language required a 10% minimum. Several commissioners said 10% was too low; Commissioner Grieve said, “10% is not a return on our investment.” During discussion the motion on the floor was amended to reflect a 20% expectation, and commissioners voted to approve the agreement by a 3–2 margin.

Commissioners and staff discussed additional safeguards raised during the meeting: a performance bond to allow the county to recoup funds if the clinic failed to operate per the agreement, and contractual repayment obligations if the clinic closed before completing the multi‑year operating requirement included in the draft. The county attorney said language could be added to require a performance bond and that the contract already gives the county a right to demand repayment if the provider fails to operate the clinic for the required term.

The contract requires an executed lease with the Town of Havana before any funds are released; the clerk will not disburse money until the county administrator and county attorney confirm compliance with the agreement. The second $100,000 disbursement is conditional on proof of operational launch.

The board’s vote followed extended public comment and internal debate over fairness to competing providers and transparency of the county’s funding process. The motion passed 3–2. The commission moved on to routine business after the vote.