The Bethlehem Town Council approved its $254,000 budget for 2010 Monday night.

Most of the 2010 expenses and revenues will remain the same as the 2009 budget, which turned out to be safe expectations for last year. The town had $51,000 more in actual revenues than expenses in 2009, according to the budget.

The majority of the town’s expenses go toward waste collection, with $38,000 planned for the task this year. The actual cost of the service in 2009 was $35,879.

The 2010 budget also allocates $30,000 toward capital outlay, however only $12,428 was used for capital outlay last year. The new budget also estimates the town will spend $40,000 in capital outlay roads projects funded through the special purpose local option sales tax, although only $26,964 was spent on it last year.

Maintenance repairs and roads make a combined $50,000 in the new budget. Salary wages makes up $28,000.

Most of the town’s revenues come from sales taxes, which drew $106,500 last year, and from the franchise tax and insurance premium tax, with a combined $88,000.

Council members have also discussed increasing the business license fee or linking the fee amount to size of the business, which could increase the business license revenue.

Last year, business licenses contributed $570 to the town’s revenue.

The council took no action Monday on increasing the fees.