Without that, how can the Council or the residents make an informed decision on what's best for the community of Gilroy?

Certainly, the cost comparison for police services between Gilroy and Cupertino should have every member of the City Council sitting up and taking notice. Gilroy, population 51,173, pays

$19 million for police services annually, while Cupertino, with 55,551 residents, pays $8.3 million. That's a potential savings - every year - of more than $10 million.

Gilroy is not Cupertino, to be sure, but is there a $10 million annual difference?

It's incumbent upon the City Council to inquire and find out. Gilroy Police Chief Denise Turner said comparing the two city's police budgets isn't valid. Gilroy's budget, she said, consists of "every bit of overhead."

It's a good point, and getting down to the nitty-gritty is what the Council should demand. Everything should be scrutinized - utility costs for the police station; hiring costs; training costs; city costs associated with labor negotiations; worker's compensation; retirement costs; evidence room; and vehicle costs.

Let's find out what the costs would be to have the Santa Clara County deputy sheriffs patrolling and protecting Gilroy.

Ironically, there may be some tangible benefits to officers including higher base pay and medical insurance in retirement.

Savings are apparently found in economies of scale and duplication. Significant savings could be realized, for example, because Gilroy could eliminate its dispatch communication center. There would also be savings in administrative costs.

In Cupertino, City Manager Dave Knapp was, at first, a skeptic. Now he's a convert and he doesn't have a bad word to say about the service the city receives. Deputies even take reports and fingerprints, in person, on what GPD considers "minor" theft calls.

"I have to say, it's a good price, and we get excellent service," is how Knapp summed it up.

It may not be the right thing in the end for our community to partner with the county sheriff's department. But it most certainly is the right thing to do to take a serious look at the possibility. Making an apples-to-apples comparison, nailing down the financial facts and giving due consideration to the option is the fiduciary responsibility of the City Council.

There are limited city dollars, and many things to accomplish. When nearly 75 percent of the city's general fund is devoted to police and fire services each year, it's an area that demands full scrutiny. If Gilroy can enhance recreation programs, if it can rebuild the youth center or set aside monies to fix broken sidewalks, if it can begin the arts center ... if it can do so much more with the dollars it has and provide outstanding law enforcement service, well, that possibility should be given serious and thorough consideration.

Again, the overriding consideration should be the driving question: What's the best course of action for this community? No sacred cows allowed.