DELAWARE, Ohio – September 1, 2026 – Delaware City Council voted Monday evening to not renew the employment contract of City Manager Paul J. Brake. His current contract will expire Dec. 31, 2026.

Brake was appointed Delaware’s city manager in 2024 following a five-month national search conducted with the assistance of Slavin Management Consultants. He began serving as city manager on Aug. 1, 2024.

Brake brought more than 30 years of local government experience to Delaware, including serving as city manager in Royal Oak, Michigan, a community of more than 57,000 residents. During his career, he also served as a city and county manager in Michigan and West Virginia.

Under Delaware’s council-manager form of government, the city manager serves as the chief administrative officer and oversees the day-to-day operations of the city under the direction of City Council.

Brake will continue to serve as city manager through the expiration of his current employment agreement on Dec. 31, 2026.

City Council will determine the process and timeline for selecting the city’s next city manager. Additional information will be provided as those plans are finalized.