COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The penny may be on its way out, but Colusa County isn’t ready to give up its last cent just yet.
The Board of Supervisors on Oct. 6 agreed to establish a countywide policy for rounding cash payments to the nearest nickel when pennies become scarce.
Colusa County Treasurer Cindy Dillard said county offices can still make exact change, but obtaining additional coins is becoming increasingly difficult.
“Many banks aren’t even providing pennies to consumers anymore,” Dillard said.
The federal government discontinued penny production in 2025 because each one cost 3.69 cents to manufacture. Federal officials said the elimination of the penney saves taxpayers $56 million annually.
Under Colusa County’s policy, cash payments ending in 1, 2, 6 or 7 cents will round down, while those ending in 3, 4, 8 or 9 cents will round up. Payments by check, credit card, debit card or electronic transfer will remain exact. Dillard said the county expects amounts gained by rounding up will offset those lost by rounding down, resulting in little or no financial impact.
Supervisor Kent Boes questioned whether the county should credit customers for rounding differences, as Williams does with some water bill payments.
Dillard said the additional accounting work would outweigh the benefit.
“I think the general public is already dealing with this, and I just don’t see it being an issue,” Dillard said.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has dismissed claims that eliminating the penny signals a move toward an entirely cashless society. In a television interview last week, he addressed the rising cost of producing nickels, now about 13 cents apiece, but said the coins will be manufactured from less expensive materials in future production.