Board discusses uniform cash‑rounding policy as penny production halts

Vice Chair Escoblete raised a countywide issue: the U.S. Mint stopped producing pennies in November 2025 and county departments are experiencing difficulty making exact change for cash transactions. County staff proposed a uniform rounding policy that would apply only to cash payments and leave electronic and check payments exact.

Staff explained the specific rounding approach proposed for cash: amounts ending in 1–2¢ would round down to 0¢, 3–4¢ round up to 5¢, 6–7¢ round down to 5¢, and 8–9¢ round up to the next 0¢ (nearest nickel). Staff said property‑tax payments are exempt because state statutes constrain settlement amounts, and that the approach follows guidance from the UNC School of Government.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about application and exceptions; staff said the policy would be applied uniformly to avoid treating customers differently. There was no formal vote during the agenda review; the item remained under staff recommendation for board action.