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Special Council Meeting (Public Safety): 5PM June 9, 2026
Agenda Highlights
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment is Limited to Items which are the Subject of the Special Meeting. Speakers and members of the audience are reminded that public comments must comply with the Town’s Rules of Decorum. Profane language or disruptive conduct is prohibited under Los Altos Hills Municipal Code Sections 2-1.115(c) and (d).
2. NEW BUSINESS
A. Presentation on the Status of Negotiations with the County of Santa Clara Office of
the Sheriff Regarding the Expiring Agreement for Law Enforcement Services in
Los Altos Hills (Staff: C. Einfalt)
Los Altos Hills contracts law enforcement services from the Santa Clara County Sheriff. The current contract for $2.76M (annual) expires on June 30 2026. The "Three Cities" (Saratoga, Cupertino and Los Altos Hills) which receive police services from the Sheriff, have been in negotiations for a new contract with the County since July 2025. The first draft of the County-proposed contract was received on December 31, 2025. It involved a budget-busting 25% increase to $3.55M for the same level of service in Los Altos Hills. Several rounds of negotiation have resulted in a slight reduction to $3.38M.
The town currently supplements the Sheriff's services with private security from PalAmerican (at a significantly cheaper hourly rate). However, private security is "eyes and ears only" and has no law enforcement authority.
The Sheriff's cost structure breakdown is shown below. There is significant overhead cost ($1.8M) vs. the direct cost of patrols ($1.5M). Based on the enormity of these overheads, the Three Cities have requested (and are moving forward with) an audit, and a short-term extension to the current contract. The County has proposed a 12-week extension (but at the new, higher cost) and has made no commitment to accept the audit. The outcome of any negotiations from that audit is uncertain. However, California Gov. Code 51350 requires the County to charge no more (and no less!) than the cost of providing service to a city.
For the next 1-2 years, there is really no practical alternative to receiving police services from the Sheriff.
Longer term options 1-2 years out include:
+ Negotiating with the Sheriff for cost reductions.
Neighboring cities pay a lot less for Sheriff services.
For example Woodside pays the SMC Sheriff $3.1M for 7 FTEs:
2 deputies on the day shift, 2 on the night shift and 2 patrol deputies
Portions of a detective, sergeant and captain's hours.
For 2026-20207, Portola Valley will pay the SMC Sheriff $2.54M for:
5 FTEs (2 day shift deputies, 2 night shift deputies)
Portions of a sergeant and Captain
This is more service at $1M less cost than LAH receives from the SCC Sheriff.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's overheads are comparatively very high.
+ Changing our service model to one similar to Stanford University or the City of Danville.
This involves staffing our own police force with officers from the Sheriff on "special assignment".
Costs and overheads for this model appear to be far lower.
The town would provide a facility, police cars and uniforms. The Sheriff would provide staff.
Certain supporting services would be included. Others would be at additional cost.
+ Obtaining service from a nearby city (Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Los Gatos, Campbell...).
This is similar to the arrangement between Los Gatos and Monte Sereno.
Saratoga is considering moving to this model from Los Gatos at a savings from $11.9M to $9.5M.
Were Saratoga to move, that could trigger a larger share of fixed costs to be borne by Los Altos Hills.
+ Setting up a JPA with another city (Cupertino?)
Lots to unpack here. Likely a long and complicated process.
+ Setting up and staffing our own police force
This is similar to Atherton and Hillsborough. It would give us more control over our police policies.
It would give us superior response times. (Atherton's response time for a burglary is under 2 minutes.
Los Altos Hills target is 14 minutes.) We would receive better patrol coverage but at significantly
higher annual cost (est. $6M). It would also entail one time startup costs of $3-5M (for which the
town has adequate reserves) and negotiations with the Peace Officer's Association (union).
B. Resolution Approving Amendment Number 2 Authorizing a 12-Week Extension to
the Current Law Enforcement Agreement with the County of Santa Clara Office of
the Sheriff (Staff: C. Einfalt)
This is a temporary extension authorizing the City Manager to execute the 12-week (3 month) extension to
superior response times and better patrol coverage but at significantly higher annual cost (est. $6M).
It would also entail one time startup costs of $3-5M (for which the city has reserves).