Androscoggin County commissioners voted 4-2 on Wednesday to set the base salary for sheriff at $104,896 beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

It’s the same amount Sheriff Eric Samson, an Auburn resident, is being paid this year and will be paid when he starts his third term Jan. 1, 2026. He requested $114,077 for 2026, but it was not approved.

Samson added an 8.75% raise for himself and Chief Deputy William Gagne because that’s what the sheriff’s administration union negotiated for three employees, although he and Gagne are not in the union.

By law, commissioners set the sheriff’s salary before nomination petitions for election are available. Petitions will be available Jan. 1, 2026.

Samson said he plans to seek a fourth term next November.

The 2026 budget was recently approved by commissioners and the Budget Committee. As it stands, Samson will get a flat salary for 2026 and Chief Deputy William Gagne will get a 2.5% raise.

Samson sent commissioners an email about his budget on Oct. 24, which included the proposed raises.

However Commissioner Garrett Mason of Lisbon Falls said it came too late for commissioners to consider. He added that with counties across the state facing budget crunches because of the jails and other reasons, including not getting the monetary support from the state to support jails, he felt the sheriff’s salary should stay the same. He also didn’t like the sheriff setting his salary.

Samson oversees about 110 employees, including deputies in his office, corrections officers at the jail and dispatchers at the regional communications center.

A motion to set the 2027 sheriff’s salary at a minimum of $114,077 failed.

Another motion to keep the salary at a minimum of $104,896 for a newly elected sheriff passed with Commissioners Chairman Andrew Lewis of Auburn, Mason, Sally Christner of Turner, and Shukri Abdirahman of Lewiston in favor. Commissioners Roland Poirier of Lewiston and Vice Chairwoman Jane Pentheny of Poland opposed, county Administrator Jeff Chute said. Commissioner Brian Ames of Lewiston had an excused absence for the meeting.

Chute said that while commissioners set the minimum salary for an incoming sheriff, they have the authority to increase it.

Samson lists among his accomplishments: transitioning the jail from management by the Maine Board of Corrections to Androscoggin County; managing budget shortfalls to restore all positions and programs while expanding medical services to the jail population; providing 24-hour coverage to the communities of Androscoggin County despite call sharing with state police dissolving; bringing the radio communication network throughout the county up to public safety standards.