GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- The Clay County Health Department announced Wednesday that funding cuts will force the closure of the Ed Stansel Clinic in Green Cove Springs by the end of the year.

The phase out will take place over several months and be competed before the end of 2009. Clients will be directed to the Bear Run Clinic, just off Blanding Boulevard south of Orange Park -- about 18 miles from the Green Cove Springs clinic.

Officials said the closure is one result of nearly $1.4 million less revenue from state, county and fee-for-services revenues over the past year.

"This reduction in access to clinical public health services is directly related to the decreased revenues experienced by the health department over the last several years," said Nancy Mills, administrator of the Clay County Health Department. "Like other private and public entities that are downsizing due to the economy, the health department must respond in kind to decreased revenues."

Since 2007, 26 positions have been eliminated from the Clay County Health Department, impacting several programs.

Mills said additional cuts may be necessary if the county fails to fund the agency in 2010 at current levels.