BUFFALO, N.Y. — In January of 2022 Buffalo's Mayor, Byron Brown was sworn in for his 5th term as the 62nd Mayor of New York's 2nd largest City. He was first elected as the Mayor of Buffalo back in November of 2005.
After almost 20 years in office, his time as mayor is coming to an end.
"Today, I'm announcing my plans to resign as Mayor of Buffalo," Brown said. "In the coming weeks, I will start a new opportunity as president and CEO of Western Regional off track betting Corporation."
According to Chairman Dennis Bassett, WROTB is paying Brown $295,000 per year before incentives, bonuses and perks like a monthly vehicle stipend.
That's $45,000 more than Governor Hochul makes annually, and a little more than six times the annual income of the average Buffalo resident.
"My decision to resign and take on a new opportunity was not an easy one," Brown said. "After nearly two decades as mayor, I have loved serving the people of buffalo as mayor, but Michelle and I think the time is right to transition to a new role.'
Brown said that his wife Michelle, as well as his family, guided him through the decision making process when he was offered the job.
Often dubbed 'the worst kept secret in city hall', it has been speculated that Brown would find a new job shortly after he was elected to a historic fifth term in 2021.
When pressed by 2 On Your Side during the press conference as to when he decided not to finish the term, Brown joked that it had been rumored he would be leaving office for the last 19 years.
"I will tell you that all of the conversations about other jobs, , those were conversations that were had and engaged in by other people," Brown said. "They were not things that I promoted. I looked at this position once it was formally advertised."
As Brown plans to leave office 15 months before his term is up, the city of Buffalo is facing financial uncertainty.
But Brown brushed off the notion that the financial stability of the city was on 'shaky' ground.
"I don't think the finances of the City of Buffalo are shaky," Brown said. "Numbers keep getting thrown out about the financial situation of the city, those numbers have not been accurate."
Brown continued saying that the city has a $43M 'rainy day fund' and had some bandwidth in their constitutional taxing limit, with $174M the city could tax.
While rejecting the notion that city finances are in trouble, he mainly pointed the finger at other elected officials who are sharing that information.
"I think the gap is more in the range of $25 million that's still a significant amount of money," Brown said.
Brown went on to say that he proposed tax increases and other programs that would generate revenue for the city, but the common council rejected those proposals.
" I've had a clear plan for 19 years," Brown said. "I have articulated that plan clearly. I think now is the time to ask other people what their plan is if they don't want to support and adopt the plans that I have laid out."
Brown's journey to his next role began back in July when OTB had initially announced that they would be looking for a new president and CEO.
As early September approached those questions regarding Byron Brown taking the role solidified as the OTB selected him for the position and offered him a contract.
At an OTB special board meeting held on September 5, 2 On Your Side asked the members of the board tough questions regarding the selection which can be read by clicking here.
Mayor Brown sent out a statement on September 5 saying "The Western New York Off Track Betting Corporation Board of Directors voted unanimously today to offer me the position of President and CEO. I appreciate the vote of confidence in me and my record of success as Mayor of Buffalo. At this point, a contract still needs to be negotiated before the position is accepted. I look forward to meeting with the Chairman of the Board to start the process toward final approval of a contract. In the meantime, I will continue to serve in my capacity as Mayor."
Following that announcement from Brown, the OTB shared that they had approved the contract for him on September 26. This though still did not confirm whether or not he would be accepting, although OTB board members were confident in what was to come.
During his interview with Claudine Ewing, she asked if he was going to clean up issues since the Western Regional OTB has been called a political dumping ground mired in corruption. He said, "I am not going there to be a politician, I'm going there to be a business executive."
When Brown leaves office, Buffalo Common Council President Christopher Scanlon will become mayor.
Read our previous coverage of the OTB's process when choosing a president and CEO attached in the articles below.
2 On Your Side's Claudine Ewing was the first reporter to sit down and discuss with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown his plans to resign. You can watch the interview here or by clicking the video below.