View Comments Frustrated with its 40-year sheriff's contract, the Ojai City Council is exploring the alternative of running its own police force. Councilmembers are weighing the challenges of going independent against the rising costs of contracting with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. As much as 40-45% of Ojai's budget usually goes to pay for the sheriff's services, according to the city manager James Vega. But this year, he said, it's about 50%. The amount currently budgeted is $3.4 million. The city and the county are negotiating terms for extending the sheriff's services agreement another five years. Councilman Randy Haney said the county isn't budging.