HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. (WECT) -Holden Beach Commissioner Tracey Thomas has resigned from the board of commissioners.

In an email sent to town leaders on December 19, Thomas wrote, “When I joined this Board, I did so with a commitment to integrity and fiscal responsibility. Regrettably, the actions taken during the first meeting of the new Board have made it clear that I can no longer serve in good conscience.”

She criticized the revision of the outdated rules of procedure, calling them less transparent and a violation of town ordinances.

At the meeting, Thomas told other board members she wanted to see changes to the board’s rules and procedures in advance so they could provide feedback.

“I’d like to see what changes you have so I have an opportunity to absorb that and then have comments on that before we do it in this type of meeting,” Thomas said. “And that way we can move more efficiently in January.”

In an exchange with Commissioner Keith Smith, Thomas said that “everyone was complaining” that the board had only three days to review the changes and that Smith was trying to implement the changes immediately.

“When we brought our copy in, everyone was complaining that they only had three days to look at what we were suggesting as changes, and now you’re saying you want to do it immediately and we don’t even know what changes you want,” Thomas told Smith. “So that doesn’t seem like you’re giving us any opportunity to review what changes you want and then discuss in public in January.”

Thomas also alleged that a continued hostile work environment and “backroom” decision-making contributed to her decision to resign.

WECT reached out to the town for a statement on the allegations listed in the resignation letter.

Her resignation letter also raised concerns about the board’s plan to repair the Holden Beach pier. Voters in Holden Beach rejected a $7.3 million bond referendum to replace the existing pier.

Her resignation was effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Commissioners will have to appoint someone to serve the last two years of her term until the next election.

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