Ramsey County schedules mid‑July courthouse power outage for electrical switchover

County commissioners voted to schedule a planned electrical switchover at the courthouse beginning Wednesday, July 15, with staff describing a worst‑case three‑day window for the work. The motion to set the outage was approved by the commission.

Darren, the technician who described the plan to commissioners, said the work will intercept main transformer feeds and bring them into a newly installed main disconnect and transfer switch. “The existing service is coming in from the transformer out there…we’re going to relocate that over next to the new disconnect…and then the transfer switch will feed the new section of switchgear,” Darren said, explaining crews will backfeed the old gear and cut over panels gradually to avoid long outages.

Commissioners discussed timing to limit disruption to court operations. Staff and commissioners agreed the county should schedule the work when courts are not in session; commissioners were told scheduled hearings could be moved if power is to be cut during business hours. The commission approved a motion to plan the work to begin Wednesday at noon on July 15, with staff to coordinate final timing and notifications to affected county offices and agencies.

The decision directs county staff to proceed with the contractor schedule and to coordinate with courts and other building occupants to relocate sensitive equipment or refrigerated medications as needed during the brief interruptions. The commission did not adopt a separate emergency declaration and the motion carried on a voice vote. The county will provide public notice and direct affected departments to make contingency arrangements.