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. However, these proposed new charges to our cities show a sharply different trajectory. This increase is more than five times the previous annual contract rate increases."

"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."

Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, and Saratoga have maintained long-standing partnerships with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. However, a proposed contract increase of 36% raises significant concerns. While the cities acknowledge that reasonable cost increases are expected due to labor agreements, benefits, equipment, and inflation, they contend this increase is disproportionate and driven primarily by overhead cost allocation charges unrelated to direct service delivery. Over five years, regional policing costs increased steadily and manageably, but the new proposal represents more than five times previous annual increases. The cities argue these increases will severely impact municipal budgets and jeopardize funding for essential services including staff salaries, parks, libraries, road maintenance, recreation programs, and community services.

Read at The Mercury News