Bio:

In October 2014 Eric T. Costello joined the Baltimore City Council representing Baltimore's most diverse district - the 11th District, winning subsequent election in 2016 and 2020. The 11th District includes 24 unique neighborhoods in Central West Baltimore, the Downtown Central Business District, Downtown Westside, Midtown, and the South Baltimore Peninsula. It is also home to Camden Yards, City Hall, Fort McHenry, the Inner Harbor, Lexington Market, Mercy Hospital, MICA, Port Covington, State Center, University of Baltimore, University of Maryland Baltimore, and University of Maryland Medical Center (Downtown & Midtown Campuses). As a member of the City Council, Eric works tirelessly on behalf of our residents and local businesses. He continues to use his U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) experience to ensure Baltimore City taxpayer dollars are expended as effectively and equitably as possible. Councilman Costello chairs the Committee on Ways & Means as well as the Biennial Audits Oversight Commission and is the City Council’s representative to the Planning Commission.

Legislative Accomplishments

Costello’s legislative priorities have focused on good government, economic development, and public safety. He was the lead sponsor on the following enacted legislation:

• Charter Amendment on Audit Reform
• Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) regulatory and financing framework
• Short Term Rental licensing, regulatory and taxing framework
• Public Safety Officers real property tax credit
• School Police Officers real property tax credit
• Public Safety Telecommunicator real property tax credit
• Private Security Camera System Rebate and Voucher Program
• High Performance Newly Constructed Dwelling Tax Credit
• Stormwater Remdiation Oversight Committee establishment and reporting
• Bike Lanes - Increased Parking Penalties

Service in Baltimore civic and non-profit organizations:

• Board Member, South Baltimore Gateway Partnership: 2016 - current
• Board Member, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore: 2014 - current
• Board Member, Midtown Community Benefits District: 2014 – current
• Board Member, Maryland Science Center Board of Trustees: 2017 - present 
• Board Member, St Mary’s Spiritual Center and Historic Site on Paca St Board of Trustees: 2017 – present

Career prior to joining the Baltimore City Council
From 2006 to 2014, Eric served in the U.S. GAO as a Senior IT Analyst. His work there saved taxpayers more than $274 million by identifying gaps in capital planning, risk management, contractor oversight practices, and cancellation of underperforming federal programs.

Education
In 2004, Eric earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts, with a minor in Business Communications at SUNY Oneonta. He earned a Master of Science in Information Management in 2006 from Syracuse University's iSchool, with Certificates of Advanced Study in both Information Security Management and Information Systems and Telecommunications Management.

Outside of Work
A native of New York, Eric fell in love with Baltimore when he moved to Otterbein in 2007. He currently lives in Federal Hill, where he purchased his home in 2010. He is an avid sports fan, amateur chef and enjoys spending time with family, friends and his dog Hoosier.