The Hammond Common Council on June 23 approved Resolution 25‑R‑17, granting a waiver of noncompliance related to an assessed valuation deduction (a tax abatement) for tangible real property of Park 24 Hammond Lehi, and the council amended the motion to schedule a public hearing on July 14.

The resolution as read on the agenda described a waiver under Indiana Code "6 dash 1.1 dash 12.1 dash 11.3" with respect to an assessed valuation deduction. Councilman Rakos moved the resolution; Councilman Emerson seconded. Councilwoman Menendez asked whether a public hearing was required; the clerk and president confirmed the public hearing would be held July 14. "I'd like to amend my motion include the public hearing for 20 fourth for July 14," Rakos said; the motion to include the public hearing was seconded and carried. The clerk recorded the motion passage as 7 in favor, 0 opposed, with 2 absent.

Members of the public used the meeting’s public‑expression period to voice concerns. George Stoya asked why the council moved on the measure without prior discussion and criticized frequent tax breaks and abatements. "What's going on here? You guys don't discuss anything. Who is this? Don Trump? Government here or what?" Stoya said, and he questioned transparency around the waiver. Another resident, Anthony Heggs, and Dwayne Lewis also spoke on separate matters during public expression; Lewis raised an administrative concern about being charged a double licensing fee at City Hall. The council did not take final, binding tax‑abatement action at the meeting beyond approving the resolution and scheduling the public hearing, and the July 14 hearing will be the formal venue for public comment and further council consideration.