Androscoggin County Jail Administrator Jeff Chute was named county administrator during Wednesday’s meeting of the Androscoggin County Commissioners. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

AUBURN — The Androscoggin County Commissioners unanimously named Jail Administrator Jeffrey Chute as the new county administrator during Wednesday evening’s meeting.

Chute, who has worked for the county for nearly 30 years, takes over for interim County Administrator and Sheriff Eric Samson, who has held that position since October 2023.

It is not known who will replace Chute as jail administrator.

Following four years working as a Navy engineer, Chute began working as a jail guard for Androscoggin County in 1995. He moved up the ranks, becoming assistant administrator in 2008 and ascended to the position as jail administrator in 2015.

Before their vote, commissioners said that Chute had the full backing of his boss, Samson.

Known for his attention to detail, Chute’s Androscoggin County Jail received perfect scores during recent inspections or missed perfection by one or two points.

Chute begins his duties as county administrator immediately.

In other business, commissioners heard an update from Mike Perry, the administrator in the District Attorney’s Lewiston office, concerning the ongoing problems with the building at 55 Lisbon St.

In January, commissioners voted to stop paying the $4,500 monthly rent for use of the second floor at 55 Lisbon St. until the chronic issues with the building are resolved. The building is adjacent to the 8th District Court.

Problems include an elevator that has not worked since the fall of 2022, roof leaks and earlier this year, the building had no electricity for four consecutive days.

The county has rented space in the building for about eight years and has three years remaining on its lease.

The latest issue, Perry said, was a dumpster fire in the back of the building. Fumes were so bad, he said, that he almost ordered his staff to vacate the building.

He said a crew came Monday to look at the elevator, but he has not seen them for the past two days.

The rent will be withheld until conditions with the building improve.

Commissioners approved a new remote participation policy.