Robert Courts is a loan officer with Advantage Lending, LLC, a founding member of Shop Local Raleigh and a passionate advocate for Raleigh’s small, local businesses through his work at Your Back Yard Raleigh. With over two decades of community involvement, Robert has served for the last eight years on the board of Raleigh Crime Stoppers and currently serves on the Raleigh Human Relations Commission. He is dedicated to fostering connections between local government, businesses, and residents to strengthen Raleigh’s vibrant community.
Robert spoke to City Council on January 14, 2025:
Good evening, Mayor and City Council Members,
Our city’s budget is far more than just a financial ledger—it’s a blueprint for our lives and futures. It shapes the services we depend on every day, from police and fire protection that ensure our safety, to public transportation that keeps us connected, and parks and green spaces that enrich our quality of life.
Mismanagement or haphazard budget cuts don’t just affect numbers on a page—they harm our safety, accessibility, and overall quality of life.
Before I continue, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Budget Department for their outstanding work. In my 10 years of local government advocacy, this year’s citizen engagement has been the best I’ve experienced.
The budget “listening sessions” were informative, interactive, and allowed for meaningful feedback.
Thank you for prioritizing transparency and community involvement in this critical process.
To my fellow citizens, now is the time to engage.
The next step in the budget process involves city management presenting parts of the budget to this council—but not the full picture. That’s why it’s vital for you to contact your four councilors to share your priorities and the local needs that matter most to you.
Let’s ensure that every voice is heard as this process moves forward.
Finally, I urge this council to prioritize approving a Separation Allowance for our firefighters.
As we speak, Los Angeles is experiencing devastating fires, highlighting the critical importance of having a well-staffed and prepared fire department. Here in Raleigh, our firefighters dedicate their lives to protecting our community, often under unimaginable conditions.
This benefit, which supports those who have served 30 or more years, provides approximately 25% of their final salary between retirement and age 62.
Here’s why this is so critical for Raleigh:
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- It will help recruit new firefighters, bolstering the strength and resilience of our department.
- It will retain current talent, ensuring our city benefits from the expertise of experienced professionals.
- It will enable senior firefighters to retire with dignity and respect, after decades of service protecting our community.
- Finally, it will correct an existing disparity between our fire and police departments, ensuring fair treatment for all of our public safety personnel.
Investing in our firefighters is an investment in Raleigh’s future.
Let’s make this right for those who have dedicated their careers to keeping us safe.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration
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