On Jan. 27, the Saratoga City Council held its annual retreat. The retreat is an opportunity to step away from the regular meeting agenda and focus on long-term planning, priorities and the financial health of our city. These retreats are an important part of good governance, allowing the council and city staff to look ahead thoughtfully and ensure we are aligned on the challenges and opportunities before us. Saratoga has been doing this for more than 20 years.
We need to be forward-thinking to explore long-term solutions now, especially knowing the city faces real budget constraints, and this provides important context for our discussions around city services as a whole. Even as costs increase, the council remains committed to maintaining a balanced budget while continuing to deliver essential services to Saratoga residents.
Public safety remains at the top of the priority list, and a significant portion of the retreat focused on the city’s contract for protective services with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office is experiencing rising costs, leading to cost allocation to West Valley cities. For the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, the city anticipates the total cost for protective services will be approximately $9 million. However, for FY 2026-27, the sheriff’s office has indicated that Saratoga will incur a 33 percent increase, totaling an additional $3 million in cost to the city. While this increase poses a significant challenge to the city’s budget, we remain confident in our ability to manage the impact and identify a sustainable solution.
In response to the contract increase, an ad hoc committee was formed to work directly with the sheriff’s office and city staff, which includes the mayor of each impacted city: Saratoga, Cupertino and Los Altos Hills. The goal of this effort is to engage in focused dialogue, bring forward the needs and priorities of our community and explore collaborative solutions, such as phasing in the cost increases to Saratoga or evaluating alternative service delivery models. Maintaining reliable, responsive law enforcement services remains a top priority as these discussions continue in the coming months.
During the retreat, the council also reviewed the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which guides investments in critical infrastructure, including roads, facilities and other public assets. While CIP planning is an ongoing process and not new to any of us, current budget constraints require a renewed focus on the prioritization of projects.
Taking the proposed sheriff contract amount into consideration, CIP funding will be reduced by approximately $1.5 million compared to previous years. Funding for the next fiscal year’s CIP has been reduced, but previously approved projects and high‑priority work will continue so the city can maintain and repair its streets, parks, drainage systems and public facilities. The council is working closely with staff to ensure that funding is directed toward the continuation of projects that protect public safety, preserve existing infrastructure and provide the greatest benefit to the community. Additionally, the City Council has maintained reserve funds to provide financial support in critical areas, and will continue to do so.
All of these discussions are closely connected. Decisions about public safety, infrastructure and the services residents rely on must be considered together to ensure Saratoga remains financially strong and well-positioned for the future. The January retreat did not result in final decisions, but it provided important strategic direction and alignment as the council continues its review of city services and development of the upcoming budget. Updates will be provided at upcoming City Council meetings and in our city e-newsletter. Residents can register for city communications at www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe.
Saratoga has successfully navigated periods of financial constraint in the past by planning carefully, adapting when necessary and keeping our focus on what matters most to residents. I am confident that with continued collaboration and transparency, we will do so again.
The council will continue these conversations in the months ahead. I encourage residents to stay engaged and follow along as we work together to plan for Saratoga’s future.
Chuck Page is the mayor of Saratoga.
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