The number of people willing to stop in their tracks and pick up a penny may be getting fewer by the day.

But not so for the San Juan County Council. The council last week chose not to ignore the power of the penny and in doing so gave local mental health services a sizable boost and those in need of such services greater access to care.

In a 5-1 decision, the council approved on Dec. 2 a 1/10th of 1 percent increase in the local sales tax, the proceeds of which are dedicated solely for the enhancement of existing mental health programs or the start-up of new services, like putting prevention programs in place in local schools.

Which, as it turns out, is priority No. 1 for use of the newly-created revenue as recommended by the task force that laid the groundwork for approval of the sales-tax hike over the past 18 months. Priority No. 2 is providing greater access to counseling and treatment for uninsured or under-insured islanders, followed by a boost in counseling programs for “abusive” parents.

Not all were convinced, however, that the time is right for a tax increase. Moreover, according to Councilman Rich Peterson, San Juan North, the council might blow its chance to bolster the bottom line of county government by not asking voters to weigh in on the proposed increase. Peterson, who cast the lone dissenting vote, has repeatedly said that asking voters to approve a property-tax increase beyond the annual 1-percent limitation may be the only card the council has to play in order to keep the county from plunging into the red in the near future.

Still, the decision was greeted by resounding applause from a capacity crowd that last week packed the council hearing room for the public hearing on the proposed increase. Nearly 20 people, mostly local mental health professionals and task force members, testified in support of the increase and the benefits it provides. And there were other advocates as well. San Juan Island School Superintendent Michael Soltman shared stories of three students (using fictitious names) whose performance in school has suffered in large part because of a lack of access to counseling that fits their situations.

“All these kids have one thing in common,” Soltman said. “They’re part of the population, about 25 percent, that qualify for reduced lunch, but not for mental health services. Keeping kids in our schools and giving them the tools to succeed is important.”

The .01 percent sales-tax increase, made available to counties by state lawmakers three years ago, will take effect April 1. San Juan joins nine other counties that have enacted the so-called mental health tax. It applies countywide and in the town of Friday Harbor too, and is expected to generate about $350,000 a year. It equals a penny on every $10 spent. (Groceries and prescription medication are excluded).

Counties have flexibility in the way treatment programs are enhanced or expanded. But those that do impose the sales-tax increase are required by the state to either have in place or create a so-called therapeutic court. Such a court has authority over child-dependency cases, and can offer a regimen of intensely-supervised treatment as an option for families in such situations.

Despite the pending bump, San Juan County’s sales-tax rate, currently 7.7 percent, will remain among the lowest in the state. Even so, a majority of council members acknowledged that given tough economic times even a modest boost in the local rate is an uncomfortable step to take. However, Councilman Kevin Ranker, San Juan South, noted that in addition to the many benefits an expanded mental-health safety net offers to those in need, it will also reduce the heavy toll that problems involving mental health, substance abuse and emotional difficulties take on public services, such as law enforcement, emergency medical service and the courts, which go untreated until they reach crisis levels.

“Early intervention saves lives and it saves money,” Ranker said. “I think this is something we have to do.”

Councilman Gene Knapp, Orcas East, echoed Ranker’s outlook as well.

“It’s one of those things where you pay a little bit now or more later,” Knapp said. “Financially it’s smart … but primarily it’s the humane thing to do and that’s why I’m going to vote for it.”