The Statesboro City Council will convene today for its regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting and consider a relatively short list of motions, as well as honor a long-time city employee.

Members of council will join Mayor Joe Brannen and interim City Manager Frank Parker for a 9 a.m. session in City Hall's council chambers on the second floor.

Prior to delving into usual business, the city will honor long-time Statesboro worker Bill Mincey.

Mincey, who serves as parks and tree maintenance supervisor, will be recognized for his 18 years of service with the city of Statesboro. Mincey is retiring effective March 31.

Council will also recognize a check presentation in the amount of $500 to the Statesboro Fire Department Fire Prevention Fund by Mikell Smith - Smith was scheduled to make the donation during council's previous meeting, but was delayed by a family matter.

When the special business ends, council is expected to hear motions regarding the approval of alcohol licenses, an additional $10 to be levied on traffic citations and the allowance of audits on two facets of the city's finances.

Based on the recommendation of city accountants - Richard Deal presented a comprehensive annual financial report to council in its last meeting - council will be presented with motions to allow independent audits of hotel/motel tax receipts and city franchise agreements.

Council will also render a decision on increasing the amount of a technology fee levied against individuals cited for traffic or vehicle violations in the city from $10 to $20.

The motion, according to Wendell Turner, Statesboro public safety director, would provide funds to service needs within the Police Department and ultimately save taxpayers money.

Turner presented the motion to council in its last meeting.

The increase would allow the police department to continue improvements in technology within the department, said Turner. The money will fund online programs for the public, help transition the city's fleet of patrol cars to updated laptops over time and cut items from the department's annual budget, he said.

In addition, council will decide whether to approve alcohol licenses to two Statesboro businesses - Nikko Japanese Restaurant and an Enmark Station at 100 Northside Drive West.

Other business includes: a resolution to make two streets located within Whispering Pines Subdivision city-owned and maintained (Whispering Pines Blvd. and Ponderosa Pine Avenue), a resolution to allow the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners to conduct city elections for the November 2011 election cycle and a motion to set the date for an annual budget retreat.

Jeff Harrison can be reached at 912-489-9454.