"Rather than maintain its own police force, Cupertino has always contracted with the sheriff's office to provide law enforcement. The city pays $18.6 million per year for the service, which the county said doesn't fully cover its costs. The county's proposed contract for the 2026-27 fiscal year, starting July 1, seeks $25.3 million annually - an increase of $6.7 million or 36%."
"Two other West Valley cities - Saratoga and Los Altos Hills - also rely on the sheriff's office and are looking at similar hikes and financial pressures. While the county warned the three West Valley cities two years ago that it would stop partially subsidizing the sheriff's services in mid-2026, the outcome is much more than expected. Cupertino had planned for a 5% to 20% increase."
""(The 36% hike) is significantly higher than anything the city could have anticipated and represents a substantial fiscal impact for the city," Cupertino City Manager Tina Kapoor told San José Spotlight. The Cupertino City Council had a preliminary discussion Jan. 13 on how to cover the cost, directing city staff to research two options: a variety of tax increases, some of which would require voter approval, or reduced services."
Cupertino contracts with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement and currently pays $18.6 million annually, which the county says does not fully cover costs. The county's proposed 2026-27 contract requests $25.3 million, a $6.7 million (36%) increase. Two neighboring West Valley cities, Saratoga and Los Altos Hills, face similar hikes. The county warned cities two years ago it would stop partially subsidizing services in mid-2026, but the proposed increase exceeded Cupertino's 5%–20% planning estimate. The city council directed staff to study potential tax increases or service reductions to cover the fiscal impact.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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