Local mayors: We can't accept Santa Clara County's attempt to hike our policing costs 36%

"What we cannot support are contract increases that are out of line with the actual growth in policing costs and driven by significant overhead cost allocation charges unrelated to the increased cost of front-line officers and direct service delivery. Over the past five years, the cost of policing across the region has increased at a steady, manageable pace."

"These increases are not merely accounting adjustments. The magnitude of the proposed cost increases will have severe impacts on our city budgets and will jeopardize essential services for our residents. Funding for staff salaries, parks, libraries, road maintenance, recreation programs and community services for seniors and families all come from the same limited municipal resources."

"This increase is more than five times the previous annual contract rate increases, and, according to our research, is driven largely by overhead cost allocation charges rather than direct policing costs."

Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, and Saratoga have maintained long-standing partnerships with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. However, the Sheriff's Office proposed a 36% contract cost increase on December 31st that the cities view as unreasonable. While the mayors acknowledge that policing costs naturally increase due to labor agreements, benefits, equipment, and inflation, they contend this proposed increase is five times higher than previous annual increases. The cities attribute the spike primarily to overhead cost allocation charges rather than direct front-line policing expenses. This disproportionate increase threatens municipal budgets and could force reductions in staff salaries, parks, libraries, road maintenance, recreation programs, and community services for seniors and families.

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