A consolidation of Columbia County's Health Department is being proposed to improve operations and increase capacity, but it could mean a longer drive for Raven Katic and other Martinez residents.

Turning three health department locations in Evans, Grovetown and Appling into a new $4 million Chamblin Road facility is part of a proposed 1-cent sales tax referendum in November.

Sitting in the lobby of the Evans clinic with her two daughters, Ms. Katic said she doesn't like the prospect of a longer drive. She also questioned whether a centralized location would cut down on wait times.

"If all these people are all going to be coming to one place, I don't see how it can move faster," Ms. Katic said. "I mean, I've been here over an hour."

The proposed 23,000-square-foot clinic would be near the new Grovetown High School on Chamblin Road.

County health officials said one fully staffed location should improve efficiency and save on maintenance costs.

"Most of our environmental services are run out of Appling, so someone would have to go to Appling to get something like a septic tank permit, which is very inconvenient for a lot of people," Health Department Manager Phyllis Roland said. "If they need treatment for a (sexually transmitted disease), that's done, right now, just in Evans. We don't have the equipment in Appling, and we don't have a staff member (for that service) in Grovetown."

Ultimately, officials say, the primary reason for a new facility is expansion. The new facility also would allow the county's Department of Family and Children Services to move part of its operation into the Health Department's Appling clinic once it has been vacated.

If the referendum is approved, funding for the building would come from a bond issue to be repaid with sales tax dollars. Construction could start as soon as next year.