At a Nov. 24 Joint Powers Authority board meeting, representatives from Monte Sereno, Campbell and Santa Clara brought three options to the table in an attempt to salvage the original six-member Joint Powers of Authority and to acquire funds that would go toward the purchase of a new facility on Thomas Road, for which a $100,000 deposit has already been handed over. The board also agreed to extend the deadline for members to withdraw from Dec. 31 to Jan. 25, which would allow the agencies more time to weigh each of the options presented.

The first option, which would require Cupertino to re-enter the organization, obligates Cupertino to pitch in $500,000, and Los Gatos and Saratoga to add $300,000 apiece for construction of the newly proposed SVACA building, with the remaining agencies agreeing to cover the rest of the costs. These figures match those that San Jose provided in response to a Request for Proposal letter that Saratoga and Los Gatos submitted. The money will be used to cover the costs of expanding their existing facility and to purchase a new vehicle.

According to SVACA's executive director, Debra Biggs, if the three agencies in question decide to go with the first option, they would be able to own a piece of the Thomas Road property, unlike San Jose's offer. Based on the financial contributions from Saratoga and Los Gatos, they would each own approximately 5 percent of the 17,200-square foot facility. In addition, the three agencies in question would pay less in annual operational costs; Cupertino would be required to shell out $225,000, Los Gatos would pay $164, 873 and Saratoga's portion would be $138,225, approximately $36,000 less than what San Jose's operational costs would be.

"The benefit of this option is that if SVACA decides to sell the proposed building in the future, the contributing agencies would have a share in the profits," Biggs said. "Under San Jose's terms, the agencies would not have this luxury."

Under the second proposal from SVACA, Cupertino, Los Gatos and Saratoga would withdraw from the Joint Powers Authority and contract with the cities in SVACA for field and shelter services. Biggs said that although these agencies would no longer be obligated to pay the annual operational costs, they could be subject to higher fees than member agencies due to additional staff work associated with contracts. In addition, these agencies would still be required to contribute the same amount of money as suggested in the first option for construction of the new facility, but will not have any ownership of the building.

"This option doesn't make any sense," said board member and Saratoga City Councilman Stan Bogosian. "Having a seat on the board is worth something in dollars; it's better than having a contract."

The third option, which was voted against, involved collaboration between SVACA and San Jose. Under this plan, SVACA would continue to provide field services while San Jose would provide shelter for the animals.

"There are a lot of options floating out there," said fellow board member and Los Gatos Mayor Steve Glickman. "It's difficult to say which one is better at the moment, because the town is still analyzing the options presented by both sides. It will be a difficult decision, because SVACA's services have been excellent, but San Jose has the facility. All in all, we're looking for the best level of service for the least amount of money."

Bogosian said that the first option seems to be the most viable so far but hopes to continue with the negotiation process until a better deal arises.

According to Biggs, SVACA is in the process of negotiating with the owner of the Thomas Road property to extend the date that agencies would be able to get a refund on the deposit from Dec. 15 to sometime toward the end of January. Biggs also said that if the request is not granted, it will be up to the board of directors to decide if the agencies in question would be able to get a refund should they decide to withdraw. Either way, Biggs said that the organization will buy the building and SVACA would continue with three members on the Joint Powers Authority.