City of King City City Council Councilmember Darlene Acosta

Darlene Acosta was formerly on the Greenfield City Council, where she served two terms before moving to King City during the late 1980s. She jumped into King City politics in 2014, shortly after a police corruption scandal hit the news.

“The towing crisis had just come to light and our city was thrown into a critical quagmire that I felt demanded accountability, transparency and fortitude. We needed to change the regime from the top down to begin the process of true reform, and thankfully that (and nothing less) happened,” Acosta told the King City Rustler in 2018. She also explained that she has qualms about the cannabis industry. “The job creation and additional tax money are important to our economy—and I will be a strong voice in finding solutions to the public health and safety conditions that will need thoughtful and experienced navigation—but nothing is worth the cost of our young people.”

Acosta, who ran unopposed, was reelected in November 2022 for another term. Early into her term, however, she submitted a letter of resignation effective Feb. 14. Acosta passed away that evening.