June’s meeting minutes below are APPROVED, as voted on at the meeting on July 20th, 2026 — thanks, Barb Baechtel, for sending.
Here is a brief news summary from June’s meeting — When Tangier Town Council met June 8, the council unanimously adopted the FY2027 budget and approved sending a letter to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development outlining the town’s economic distress, with member Anna Parks stressing the need for outside assistance to restore fiscal health.
Financial reports showed the General Fund at $40,537.23 and the Wastewater Treatment Plant fund at $26,422.78. Officials Kelly Wheatley and Tracy Pruitt also met with VDOT regarding the slow-moving process of transferring Ponderosa Lane and the fuel dock road into the state system.
Fuel Dock officer Tommy Eskridge reported the account balance at $40,644.43, noting progress paying down inherited debts, while the DEQ dredging project nears completion ahead of bulkhead and tank work. Negotiations to remove contaminated fuel continue to face resistance from fuel companies.
In public comments, residents raised questions about vehicle tags, now sold at the fuel dock, and praised the town website’s growing reach, with over 75,000 views. Parks also reported on a major meeting with more than 40 government officials discussing dredging and beach restoration projects. No new business was raised before adjournment at 6:50 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: June 8th, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Tangier Town Office
Council Members Present:
• Beth Thomas, Vice Mayor
• Anna Parks
• Tracy Pruitt
• Tommy Eskridge
• Kelly Wheatley
• Mayor James Ooker Eskridge
Council Members Absent:
• Normand St. Pierre
About 9 adult members of the community were in attendance.
Call To Order:
Vice Mayor Beth Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm. She stated that the meeting was being recorded. She welcomed the members of the community who attended.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The opening invocation was given by William Eskridge, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Beth Thomas.
Opening Statement:
Mayor James Eskridge welcomed everyone. He acknowledged that there were loyal community members who they could always count on seeing. He announced that he and the council attended a meeting with the major stakeholders in the region, regarding critical projects on Tangier. He left the meeting hopeful for the future of the Island.
Motion: To adopt the agenda of June 8th, 2026, was made by Beth Thomas and seconded by Anna Parks. Unanimous
Aye. Motion Carried
Motion: To approve the public meeting minutes of May 29th, 2026, was made by Anna Parks and seconded by Kelly
Wheatley. Unanimous Aye. Motion Carried
Motion: To adopt the FY2027 Budget, as discussed on May 29th, was made by Anna Parks and seconded by Tommy
Eskridge. Unanimous Aye. Motion Carried
Motion: To authorize the signing and sending of the letter to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development regarding the economic distress of the Town of Tangier, was made by Beth Thomas and seconded by Tommy Eskridge. Unanimous Aye. Motion Carried
A short discussion ensued, led by Anna Parks, regarding the financial distress and the efforts that the Town leadership have made to ameliorate the issue. She felt that outside help was critical for the Town to get back to fiscal health.
Financial Reports:
General Fund:
Tracy Pruitt reported that the General Fund balance, as of the last meeting on May 11th, 2026, was $42,187.52. As of June 8th, 2026, the balance is $40,537.23.
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP):
Kelly Wheatley reported that the WTP fund balance, as of the last meeting on May 11th, 2026, was $23,933.69. As of June 8th, 2026, the balance is $26,422.78.
Kelly stated that she and Tracy Pruitt met with VDOT personnel to discuss the status of accepting Ponderosa Lane and the lane to the Fuel dock under state roads. This action necessitates landowners signing over easements, so it’s a very slow process.
Tangier Gas:
Fuel Dock and DEQ Update:
Tommy Eskridge reported that the current balance in the Fuel Dock account, as of June 8th, 2026 was $40,644.43, but that he expected to make a $37,000.00 oil order within days. He went on to report that they had reduced the inherited debt with Pep-up of approximately $172,000.00 to $99,000.00 and the Swain Memorial Church loan from $50,000.00 to $22,500.00. He is expecting a large tax bill, as well.
The DEQ dredging process is nearly complete and the bulkhead installation, tank removal and replacement are to begin shortly.
Tommy reported that he is still in negotiations to remove the contaminated fuel, but is running into challenges, due to the reticence of the fuel companies, both here and in Texas, balking at pumping fuel over water.
Public Comments:
Nina Pruit asked about the status of vehicle tags. Tommy Eskridge confirmed that tags were being sold at the Fuel dock,as of June 1st.
Miles Layton spoke on the reach and popularity of the Town’s website. He said that many of the articles and videos are being seen by thousands of people. The website, itself, has been viewed over 75,000 times.
Grants Report:
Anna Parks reported that she, Beth Thomas and Mayor Eskridge had attended a meeting with over 40 Local, State and Federal officials, regarding various projects to help support the restoration and resilience of Tangier. During the meeting, Kellen Singleton, of the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, stated that the Nassowadox dredging project was on track, and should begin toward the end of the year, and that the beneficial dredge produced would be used to replenish Tangier beach. The meeting was very heartening for the Town leadership. Anna acknowledged that it was overwhelming to have so many people working to save the Island. Productive meetings like these make the difficult days easier to deal with.
New Business:
There was no new business.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Beth Thomas at 6:50 p.m.
The next public meeting will be held on July 20th, 2026.
Tangier Island, Virginia 