# Saratoga Continues Sheriff's Police Contract

Saratoga’s City Council voted 4-1 to continue its five-year police-services contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office instead of switching to a proposal from the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. The alternative was estimated at $9.7 million and projected to save the city roughly $2.7 million; it would have included new staff positions and a police substation, with service beginning in November 2027. The council requested greater transparency and data on how policing funds are used, making service-cost visibility and accountability central considerations in the city’s contract decision.

- Saratoga retains the incumbent provider; the current contract was renewed in 2025 and, according to the extracted information, allows the city to opt out after the first year.
- The alternative proposal was not selected, and its projected savings should be treated as an estimate rather than an achieved reduction.
- Municipal procurement teams and public-safety providers can use this decision as a signal that cost comparisons alone may not determine service awards: clear reporting on spending and service delivery was also requested.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Government Entities
- City of Saratoga
- Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
- Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department

### Key Quotes
> The discussion has never been solely about the cost of law enforcement, it is also about how the city balances public safety with its other responsibilities.
> — Leslie Arroyo, City Manager

### Sources
- [In a 4-1 vote late Wednesday night, Saratoga's City Council voted to continue its current contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office for police services.
https://t.co/elercoXour https://t.co/hpTo5FKSCj](https://x.com/nbcbayarea/status/2108090038844060099) - twitter-sled