Opinion: Per capita cost of policing is more than many cities can afford

Many cities in California are grappling with the reality that law enforcement spending is increasing faster than their budgets or tax bases can absorb, prompting calls to review or renegotiate contracts.

Santa Clara County cities are a prominent example of this trend. Saratoga, Cupertino and Los Altos Hills have contracted with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office for many years (70 for Saratoga). The county’s recent move to total cost recovery in many of its contracts has caused a dramatic increase in costs for our cities. Although still low in comparison to other cities, the per capita cost of policing is rising more quickly than many cities can afford.

A California Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice report shows that per capita law enforcement spending has surged — from $399 in 1985 to $651 in 2022, an increase of over 60% — and that many counties and cities are paying significantly more than in the past. Residents in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange, Santa Cruz, San Bernardino, Solano, Fresno, Santa Barbara, Contra Costa and Tulare counties all pay more than $100 more per person for policing than in 2003.

Many people have asked how we pay for law enforcement and why Saratoga seems to struggle with tight budgets every year. Saratoga relies almost entirely on property tax revenue to pay for city services. When Prop 13 took effect in 1978, Saratoga, being a low- or no-tax city, was allowed to receive around 6.5% of the property taxes collected.

From 1978-2014, Saratoga received only 3.5% of the property taxes collected due to some posturing by a state senator and the county. In 2014 we were able to start a phased recapture of the property tax revenue percentage that had been taken from four cities in our county. A budget trailer bill that year enabled Saratoga to get back to approximately 6.5%. That, plus some gas tax revenue, a little bit of sales tax revenue (about $1 million a year) and a couple of other small sources of revenue pay for all that the city needs to do. Law enforcement and city staff salaries and benefits make up the largest portion of the expenditures, with streets, parks, maintenance and infrastructure management making up the rest.

How much is 6.5% of property taxes? If someone were to purchase a new $3 million home today, they’d pay about $30,000 a year in property taxes. Saratoga’s portion of that is approximately $1,950. $1,950 per household per year to pay for law enforcement, streets, parks, maintenance and city staff to provide all the functions necessary to run a city. It’s tough. Oh, and think about the neighbor down the street from that newly purchased home that looks exactly the same, and whose owner has lived there for 40 years. Because Prop 13 is working as intended, the city is collecting a whole lot less property taxes from that property owner.

Saratoga recently signed a five-year contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, paying $10.9 million for 2026-27, a 21% increase over the previous year. Saratoga is currently looking at alternative law enforcement solutions, including contracting with the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department. Upcoming town hall meetings and an online survey provide additional opportunities for our residents to give input on the future of law enforcement in Saratoga. I hope to see many members of our community engage at our upcoming town hall meetings; the first is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Saratoga Prospect Center, and another is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Saratoga Civic Theater. You can learn more and share your thoughts at saratoga.ca.us/LawEnforcement.

Public safety is always top of mind for every elected City Council member. I encourage your participation and guidance as Saratoga evaluates the law enforcement provider for the future.

Chuck Page is the mayor of Saratoga.