BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo's longest-serving mayor, Byron Brown, said Monday he will leave City Hall in a few weeks to lead an offtrack betting agency.

“After nearly two decades as mayor, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the residents of Buffalo. However, Michelle and I have decided that it's the right time for us to make a change and take on a new challenge,” he shared during a press conference, referring to his wife.

Brown, 66, a Democrat, will be taking on the position of president and chief executive of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., earning an annual salary of $295,000. In this role, he will oversee operations at the agency's betting locations in several counties throughout New York State, including Batavia Downs, which offers live harness horse racing and a video gaming casino. As mayor, his annual salary was $178,500. His current term was scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2025.

Last week, members of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting board voted unanimously to approve a contract with Brown. Dennis Bassett, the board president, stated that the mayor, a former state senator and chairman of the New York Democratic Party, would be instrumental in elevating the agency's visibility in Albany.

"We believe that Mayor Brown's extensive experience and the relationships he has cultivated over the years, both as a legislator and in Albany and the governor’s office, will be invaluable as we work to advance our goals,” Bassett informed reporters following the board's vote.

Brown made history as the first Black mayor of the city when he was elected in 2005. He successfully secured a fifth term in 2021, winning a write-in campaign after a surprising loss in the Democratic primary.

In announcing his early departure, Brown expressed his pride in the city's progress under his leadership, specifically citing the Rust Belt city's first population increase after enduring decades of decline. According to the U.S. Census, the city located on Lake Erie had a population of 278,000 in 2020, marking a 7% increase from 2010.

“Our city has become safer, more intelligent, and more environmentally conscious, and I am proud to say we have hired the most diverse workforce in the history of the City of Buffalo," Brown said.

Common Council President Christopher Scanlon will take over as acting mayor for the remainder of Brown's term, according to the city charter. Scanlon, also a Democrat, has been a council member since 2012 and became president in January.

“I am enthusiastic about the possibilities that this transition will bring and am confident that we will continue to achieve results for our businesses and residents,” Scanlon stated at the press conference.