South Bay Cities Face Soaring Costs for County Police Services

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Three South Bay cities - Saratoga, Cupertino, and Los Altos Hills - are facing a dramatic increase in the cost of contracting police services from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department. The county says the cost of doing business has skyrocketed, requiring a roughly 35% hike in contract rates to cover the rising expenses. However, the mayors of the affected cities argue the math doesn't add up and are exploring alternatives like contracting with other agencies or creating their own police departments, though the latter may not be financially feasible.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the financial pressures facing local governments as the costs of providing public safety services continue to rise. The outcome could set a precedent for how other cities in the region negotiate with the county for police services, and may force some to make difficult budget decisions that could impact other municipal services.

The details

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department has provided police services to Saratoga, Cupertino, and Los Altos Hills since the 1950s. But the county says the cost of doing business has dramatically changed since the last contract negotiation in 2014, requiring a roughly 35% increase in contract rates to cover rising expenses like upgraded technology and systems. The mayors of the three cities argue the proposed hike is excessive and want a clearer breakdown of the overhead costs before agreeing to the new terms. They are exploring alternatives like contracting with other nearby agencies or creating their own police departments, though the latter may be financially impossible.

• The current contract between the cities and the county expires on June 30, 2026.
• The county first notified the cities of the impending rate hike in early 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The county and the cities have until June 30, 2026 to reach an agreement on the new contract terms. Mayor Page is hopeful they can come up with a deal to keep their communities safe, though he acknowledges that changing law enforcement services in six months will be challenging.