The Hammond Common Council voted 9-0 Tuesday to adopt Ordinance 25-10, appropriating hotel, motel and innkeepers tax funds for marketing, promotional events, advertising and economic development in 2025.

In a related resolution, the council also approved Resolution 25 R-11 confirming CF-1 assessment filings for businesses that previously received economic development deductions. Councilwoman Venez said the annual CF-1 procedure ensures abated businesses submit required forms to the auditor and remain eligible for abatements; she listed businesses covered by the action.

Venez identified the businesses as American Stair, Hampton Inn and Suites, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Analytics Stress (name as stated in record), Corrales Roofing, Team Industrial Services, Marble Holdings LLC and Park 24 Hammond LLC. She said the council record shows 185 Hammond City residents are employed by those companies.

Representatives of some businesses joined the meeting remotely. Peter Fitzsimmons identified himself as executive vice president of American Stair; a speaker identified as Bridal Enright said she is CFO of Corrales Roofing. Councilmembers thanked local employers for jobs and requested any questions be directed to company representatives or city staff. The resolution passed on a 9-0 roll call.

Clerk Golic recorded the roll call votes for final passage of the hotel-motel tax ordinance and for the CF-1 confirmation resolution; the transcript does not show a detailed breakdown of how hotel-motel funds will be allocated beyond general economic development categories.