The Association of Bay Area Governments is a regional planning agency for the nine counties and nearly 100 member cities in the Bay area. This organization offers its members either free or discounted technical assistance, such as credit pooling. It also prepares environmental impact reports and general plan elements, as well as detailed information from its regional census center. ABAG prepares special studies of region-wide responsibilities, such as serving as the regional review body for Federal grant applications from local governments in the Bay Area. In addition to these standard activities, other benefits of ABAG include:

• ABAG leasing and credit pooling financial services
• The provision of classes/seminars through the "Training Center for Excellence"
• Sponsoring of HAZMACON, a technical training conference for emergency response staff
• Publications on various topics, including census data and projections, earthquake preparedness, economic development, energy, environmental management, hazmat, housing, et.

The General Plan Goal 7.3.C state, "Participate in intergovernmental activities, including national, state, and regional groups, in order to represent the city’s interest, influence policy and regulations, and enhance awareness."

City Council Policy 7.3.12. on City Council Guidelines and Standards Relating to Staff Assistance, Travel and Other Resources states, "Each year the Council will assess the benefit of City membership in the following organizations which have traditionally been identified as providing support and service to local governments:

Since its formation in 1961, ABAG has relied primarily on state and federal funding for its operations. Only a small portion of its budget comes from membership dues. Per capita dues have increased modestly in the past few years. Sunnyvale’s FY 2002-03 dues of $17,629 represent an increase of $896, or 5.4 percent more than last year.

The City has previously availed itself of ABAG’s financial services by participating in a financing pool for the purchase of modular classrooms for childcare at several Sunnyvale School District sites. Without ABAG’s financing pool, the $2.3 million issue would have been impractical to finance.