BRISTOL, CT (WFSB) – Bristol leaders voted to round cash payments to the nearest nickel as business owners continue to feel the effects of a nationwide penny shortage.
The shortage is only expected to get worse because the federal government has stopped production.
Under Bristol’s new policy, whenever someone pays a bill in cash at City Hall, the total will be rounded to the nearest nickel.
If someone owes $1.01 or $1.02, the total would be adjusted down to $1. If the total is $1.03 or $1.04, they would pay $1.05.
Some Bristol businesses have been ahead of the curve.
Ken Meehan, who has served food at Ken’s Grille for more than 25 years, has never used pennies.
All of his prices end in round numbers with taxes included.
“It’s just easier to make change,” Meehan said. “I make change all day. So it’s like I’m not counting pennies.”
Joe Fitzsimons, a customer at Bell City Diner who pays in cash, said he won’t shed any tears for the penny. He prefers Bristol’s plan for city hall business.
“It’s fair,” Fitzsimons said about the rounding policy. “Common sense.”
The policy differs from advice state leaders shared with local business owners.
The Department of Consumer Protection warned that businesses should always round down to the nearest nickel.
State law states that a customer cannot be charged more paying cash than they would paying a different way.
Under the state’s guidance, even if coffee costs 99 cents, the cashier should only charge 95 cents.
More than 100 billion pennies remain in circulation despite the federal production stoppage.
Town leaders said they had to develop a plan to address the shortage and how it’s affecting local businesses.
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