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County proposes 30% increase to sheriff contract; Los Altos Hills joins neighboring cities in negotiations
Summary
Staff told the Finance & Investment Committee the county proposed raising sheriff contract costs from roughly $2.7 million to $3.5 million; local staff and neighboring city managers are negotiating a short‑term approach while exploring alternatives such as a JPA or alternate contracts. Several members recounted recent burglaries and urged prioritizing public safety.
Thomas reported that on Dec. 31 the county sent the town a new sheriff‑service proposal that would raise annual costs from about $2.7 million to roughly $3.5 million, a roughly 30% increase. Thomas said Los Altos Hills, Cupertino and Saratoga city managers have been coordinating a response and plan to meet soon with county executives to negotiate the terms.
"That proposal called for a 30% increase in sheriff's costs, going from 2,700,000 per year to 3,500,000 per year," Thomas told the committee, adding that staff is pursuing counterproposals including a one‑ to two‑year agreement under current terms while rejecting large overhead increases.
Committee members and residents described a series of recent burglaries and copper thefts in the area and urged that any budget discussion prioritize public safety. Committee member (S3) recounted a personal burglary and praised a fast sheriff response, saying, "the sheriffs were there very very quickly," and pressed the committee to focus on pursuing the "absolute best" available security even if it required additional resources.
Thomas and other staff said the three cities are also exploring longer‑term alternatives — a joint powers authority, contracting with a neighboring city, or creating an independent force — and that staff will factor model results into the town’s five‑year forecast. No formal decision was made; negotiations with the county were ongoing.
