Neighborhood Medical Center requests $375,000 to open South Monroe pharmacy; board asks staff for analysis
March 13, 2026 | Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Neighborhood Medical Center asked the Blueprint Board of Directors on Wednesday to consider a $375,000 noncompetitive grant to open an in‑house retail and drive‑through pharmacy at its South Monroe clinic.
"We are asking for $375,000 to assist in opening that pharmacy," said Otis Kirksey, director of pharmacy services at Neighborhood Medical Center, during the public‑comment portion of the board meeting. He told the board the clinic serves roughly 9,000 patients and that the build‑out is complete; the requested funds would go to staffing and an initial drug formulary.
The request drew consistent support from directors. "I wholeheartedly support this," said Commissioner Williams Cox, noting the South Side is a pharmacy desert and that the clinic’s drive‑through service will help residents with limited mobility. Commissioner Maddox said he would "overwhelmingly support" the proposal and praised federally qualified health centers for serving underserved neighborhoods.
Staff told the board the grant ask is part of a $487,500 total project cost and that the applicant is offering a 30 percent match. Board members asked for a formal analysis of the noncompetitive grant request — including job and capital‑investment metrics used in Blueprint’s economic‑incentive framework — and directed staff to return an agenda item with a recommendation. The chair said the next regular meeting is in June but also offered to call a special meeting if staff can prepare the analysis sooner.
The board did not vote on funding at the meeting. Instead, commissioners instructed staff to prepare a detailed evaluation of the request, including financial match, anticipated jobs, and timing, and to return the item for a future board decision.
The item drew public comment in support from neighborhood residents and business owners, who said a local pharmacy would improve health access and reduce travel burdens for residents without reliable transportation.
"We are asking for $375,000 to assist in opening that pharmacy," said Otis Kirksey, director of pharmacy services at Neighborhood Medical Center, during the public‑comment portion of the board meeting. He told the board the clinic serves roughly 9,000 patients and that the build‑out is complete; the requested funds would go to staffing and an initial drug formulary.
The request drew consistent support from directors. "I wholeheartedly support this," said Commissioner Williams Cox, noting the South Side is a pharmacy desert and that the clinic’s drive‑through service will help residents with limited mobility. Commissioner Maddox said he would "overwhelmingly support" the proposal and praised federally qualified health centers for serving underserved neighborhoods.
Staff told the board the grant ask is part of a $487,500 total project cost and that the applicant is offering a 30 percent match. Board members asked for a formal analysis of the noncompetitive grant request — including job and capital‑investment metrics used in Blueprint’s economic‑incentive framework — and directed staff to return an agenda item with a recommendation. The chair said the next regular meeting is in June but also offered to call a special meeting if staff can prepare the analysis sooner.
The board did not vote on funding at the meeting. Instead, commissioners instructed staff to prepare a detailed evaluation of the request, including financial match, anticipated jobs, and timing, and to return the item for a future board decision.
The item drew public comment in support from neighborhood residents and business owners, who said a local pharmacy would improve health access and reduce travel burdens for residents without reliable transportation.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
