Deer Park City Government Focuses on Filling Vacancies

With Billy Costello officially appointed as Deer Park mayor, vacancies have opened up on Deer Park City Council. Costello shared the challenges of his new role as well as the type of candidate who would do well to replace his council position. Costello was appointed as mayor by Deer Park City Council after the passing of Mayor Tim Verzal. “It’s definitely bittersweet,” Costello said. “I’m incredibly honored to serve as mayor, but I also recognize that I’m stepping into this role because our city lost an amazing leader and I lost a great friend. That makes this moment carry a lot more weight for me personally.” He also shared that the mayoral position has come with a lot to learn quickly.

“There’s a tremendous responsibility that comes with the position, but I’m excited to get to work. My goal is to honor the leadership that came before me while bringing my own energy and perspective to the job.” According to the city of Deer Park, a special election will be held in fall 2027 where residents will elect a mayor to serve a two-year term. A regular mayoral election is scheduled for fall 2029. Costello said that running for mayor is not out of the question. “I’ve always thought about running for mayor someday because I love Deer Park and care deeply about where our community is headed. I just never imagined the opportunity would come this way or at this time,” he said.

Costello added, “Running a business and raising a family is a lot of work on its own. If I didn’t have an amazing wife to support me and a great team to help manage my business, there’s no way I could take on being mayor.” Costello runs the local State Farm Insurance agency in Deer Park. He has until May 2027 to file as a candidate, stating that he will “have some time before I need to make that decision.” According to Costello, Deer Park officials are not wasting time backfilling his council position or the mayor pro tem role. “For the council position, we will accept applications until 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. The council will have about a week to review the applications and will interview them at the Oct. 7 meeting.”

He said a councilmember will nominate another councilmember for the mayor pro tem role during that meeting and a majority of the council will need to agree before that position is filled. According to city law, anyone interested in joining the council needs to be at least 18 years old, a registered voter, and have lived within the city limits for a minimum of one year. “In my opinion, I would like to see someone who has been a frequent attendee or participant in previous council meetings and city government.

I would also like to see someone who has been active in our community,”Costello said of the person who fills the council vacancy. He added that the vacant council and mayor pro tem positions are “significant roles with a lot of responsibility,” and said it “would be extremely difficult for someone without at least a basic understanding of the issues we’re currently facing or the role city government plays in our community to take on either position.” However, Costello won’t be executing candidate decisions. “As mayor, I will simply facilitate the meeting and interview process; ultimately, the city council will be making the decision on both positions,” he said. Reflecting on his new role, Costello said, “Deer Park is a special community, one that I chose to raise my family and open a business in. I’m grateful to serve all the people that call it home.”