No Pennies? No Problem. Selma Approves Utility Payment Rounding Policy

Town of Selma Says Goodbye to the Penny

SELMA — The days of digging through cash drawers for a few extra pennies may soon be over at Selma Town Hall.

During its June 4 meeting, the Selma Town Council approved a change to the town’s Customer Service Policy that will allow customer service representatives to round certain cash payments to the nearest nickel when pennies are unavailable.

The policy change comes as communities across the country grapple with a growing shortage of pennies. According to town officials, the U.S. Mint produced its final pennies on Nov. 12, 2025, and no additional pennies are expected to be minted, making it increasingly difficult for staff to maintain an adequate supply of the one-cent coins.

Town employees who accept utility payments and other cash transactions have found themselves facing penny shortages when making change for customers.

Under the newly approved policy, rounding will apply only to cash transactions at the town’s finance office when a customer does not have exact change. Payments will be rounded to the nearest five cents, allowing staff to complete transactions without relying on pennies.

Town officials said the goal is to make the process as fair and consistent as possible for customers.

For most residents, the change will likely amount to only a penny or two on a transaction. Customers paying by check, debit card, credit card or other electronic methods will continue to pay the exact amount due.

While the policy adjustment may seem minor, it reflects a broader change taking place as the penny gradually disappears from circulation.

For generations, the penny has been a staple of pockets, piggy banks and couch cushions. But as supplies become harder to find, Selma is adapting one nickel at a time.

The new policy is expected to help streamline transactions at Town Hall while ensuring customer service representatives can continue serving residents without having to hunt for the last few pennies in the cash drawer.