EPHRATA — In regular business Monday, the Grant County Public Utility District board of commissioners passed several motions and resolutions, including a vote to adopt the 2006 budget.

The commissioners approved a $224.4 million budget for the PUD's electric system, a $115.3 million budget for Wanapum Development and a nearly $71.4 million budget for Priest Rapids Development.

General Construction Co.'s contract with the PUD was extended 14 days for work being done at Priest Rapids Dam and the commissioners added $1,615,500 to the existing contract.

General Construction is contracted to finish a top-spill prototype for fish passage. The PUD will pay the additional funds to have the company remove original construction materials found on the bottom of the river, for effective use of the fish passage prototype.

The company is expected to complete work by March 31 of next year. Their new total contract price is $6,073,500.

Wheco Corp. received an increase in their current contract price with the PUD by $1,725,000 for spillway gate repairs at Wanapum Dam. The additional money will ensure gate repair work is completed on one critical gate before it is needed for downstream fish passage in April.

The gate was damaged in July and revealed additional damage last month.

Wheco's total contract will now be $6,366,050 for work extending through 2010.

Purcell Painting and Coating of Richland was awarded a contract for work at Wanapum Dam to de-lead and paint three turbines as they are disassembled for upgrading.

PUD engineers estimated the work would require $797,610. Purcell Painting and Coating was the lowest compliant bidder at $296,601. The company assured PUD engineers they understood the contract's work requirements and will be capable of successful completion of the work.

The PUD awarded a contract to Holt Drilling of Milton to drill a test water well at the potential Christmas Creek Rearing and Acclimation Hatchery Facility in North Bend, Wash. The PUD needs to evaluate groundwater availability and quality for a spring Chinook salmon project. Holt Drilling will provide the drilling for $79,500.

The PUD will purchase nine sets of power bars, collector shoes and festoon channels for the Wanapum Dam turbine replacement work. North American Hydro, LLC, of Schofield, Wis., made the lowest compliant bid at $52,308.

The commissioners authorized payment of $12,880 plus tax to Oracle, of Redwood Shores, Calif., for annual license fees and maintenance for computer database systems used by the PUD.