Saratoga Delays Electrical Improvements

4/8/2025 |

Bigfoot 99 file photo

The governing body of Saratoga has voted to delay electrical improvements to the town hall until a new budget is approved.

Last month, a transformer at the Trowbridge Substation failed, causing a power outage for an entire day across the Platte Valley from Saratoga to Encampment.

Speaking to the Saratoga town council on March 18^th, Police Chief John Moore explained that despite having a backup generator, the Saratoga town hall, including the police call center, lost electricity during the power outage. Chief Moore said he has asked an electrician to provide an estimate to upgrade the town hall’s electrical system, allowing the entire building to run off the generator.

Chief Moore reported that, during the power outage, only the exterior building and police dispatch center lights remained operational.

During the April 1^st Saratoga town council meeting, Chief Moore provided the governing body with a $14,800 quote from Plus Electric, out of Rawlins.

The police chief said of the three companies he contacted for estimates, Plus Electric was the only one that responded.

Chief Moore said a representative from the Rawlins-based electrical company recommended connecting the entire building, rather than just a portion, to the backup generator.

Chief Moore explained that, should the council approve the quote, Plus Electric will reroute the generator to the building’s existing Carbon Power and Light connection. Electricians also will upgrade the generator’s automatic circuit breaker, allowing it to power the entirety of town hall.

Chief Moore explained that his budget cannot cover the full $14,800. Instead, the cost of the generator improvements will be divided between the police department and town hall.

Saratoga Mayor Chuck Davis agreed that the funds should come from both departments.

The mayor emphasized the importance of the town hall as an emergency command center, but said funding for the generator improvements will need to be allocated from the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in July.

Mayor Davis expressed his support for the project, saying that the work must be done. However, the town is not prepared to spend $14,800 this fiscal year. The mayor advised the town council to postpone a decision until the new budget is set in July. Moreover, postponing the project will allow Chief Moore additional time to gather more quotes.

The town council agreed to table the Plus Electric quote until after the new budget is set. In the meantime, the council agreed to spend roughly $500 to upgrade the electrical plugs in the police dispatch center, allowing the town’s backup 911 system to remain operational during a power outage.