Athens-Clarke County commissioners finished their second round of budget hearings with independent agencies last night.
In another three-hour long meeting, commissioners heard from eight local organizations asking for the city’s continued financial support.
One of these agencies, the Athens Neighborhood Health Center, asked the city to expedite repairs to the McKinley Drive location, which closed on Dec. 27 from water and pipe damages. Director Marcus Garner said that the McKinley location houses the center’s pharmacy, which allows patients to get medications like insulin at discounted rates.
Insulin commonly sells for $400-600 per prescription. Qualifying patients have been unable to buy their medicine at the center’s low rates since December.
Last night’s and Wednesday’s meetings are part of the commission’s preliminary budget review. Commissioners will vote on the county’s budget at a later meeting.