State requests PUD contract documents
Lynne Lynch/Columbia Basin Herald<br> The state Auditor's Office requested information about a contract for work at Wanapum Dam.
EPHRATA — The state Auditor’s Office requested contract documents explaining why Grant County PUD authorized an increase for work done at Wanapum Dam.
The issue is connected to a contract for the clean-out of drains at Priest Rapids Dam and Wanapum Dam.
Grant PUD Auditor Kim Justice told commissioners Monday the state Auditor’s Office “has concerns about the increase of the rest of the Wanapum holes to the contract, saying it was outside of the scope and it was such a large increase.”
She said she was informed of the issue Friday afternoon and had a conversation with the state auditor’s office about it.
Justice said the matter was looked at by former PUD attorney Ray Foianini when he was with the district.
Foianini was not at Monday’s meeting.
Current PUD attorney Mitch Delabarre said he thought the release of documents was appropriate, as the time for bid protests passed.
He described the documents as being an explanation and justification to why the action was appropriate.
To release the documents, Grant PUD commissioners unanimously approved a motion waiving attorney client privilege relating to the legal review of district contracts and change orders.