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Clackamas County adopts 'penny policy' to round cash transactions amid end of penny production
Summary
The Board approved a county penny policy to handle diminishing penny availability: when customers pay cash and pennies are unavailable, county offices will round cash payments to the nearest 5¢ and round change given up to the nearest 5¢; the policy follows legal review and mirrors policies in neighboring counties.
The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 approved a county policy to guide cash transactions once pennies are no longer reliably available. Treasurer Bridal Nava told commissioners that the U.S. Mint last produced pennies on 11/12/2025 and that, while many pennies still circulate, local government should adopt a consistent approach for departments that receive cash.
Under the adopted policy, if a resident pays the county in cash and pennies are unavailable, the county will round the payment down to the nearest 5¢. Conversely, when the county returns change and pennies are not available, staff will round the change up to the nearest 5¢. Nava said the policy applies only to pennies and does not affect electronic payments; it was reviewed by county legal staff and designed to mirror practices being considered or adopted by nearby Oregon counties.
Commissioners asked how much cash the county handles; staff estimated the county collects approximately $400,000 per year in cash across offices. Treasurer Nava said past outreach to local banks and a credit union helped secure a small supply of pennies for short‑term needs, but the policy ensures a consistent countywide approach if pennies are not available.
Commissioner Helm moved to approve the policy; Commissioner West seconded, and the motion passed on the recorded poll (3–0). Staff will publish the policy and provide operational guidance to departments.
