EPHRATA — Lower than expected costs for some projects will mean lower planned capital expenditures for Grant County PUD this year.

Financial analyst John Mertlich reported on first quarter financial results at a commission meeting March 12.

A contract to add reinforcement to the right bank at Priest Rapids Dam came in $11 million under the estimate, Mertlich said. Some of the project work is being delayed to 2021.

Utility district officials had planned to do some work on the Priest Rapids spillways in 2020, but only the design part of that project actually will be done this year. Substation upgrades in Royal City, turbine and generator work at Priest Rapids, and planned improvements to some PUD facilities either had bids come in lower than expected or the project was changed, Mertlich said.

The PUD fiber optic network buildout actually could end the year over budget, with an additional $2.4 million in expenses projected. Some sections planned for completion in 2019 are being finished in 2020, and more planning is being done for 2021.

— Cheryl Schweizer