BRASELTON — The town of Braselton remains hopeful that revenues will increase in the coming fiscal year as a new hotel prepares to open its doors.

The Braselton Visitors Bureau Authority’s 2010 budget, which totals $290,750 compared to 2009’s budget of $279,000, factors in possible revenues from the new Country Inn and Suites, which is set to open on Ga. 124 within the fiscal year, according to Town Manager Jennifer Dees.

"We are anticipating revenues to increase somewhat for fiscal year 2010, and that’s simply based on the fact that we’ll have a new hotel that will be opening during the year. We ran the numbers based on 50 percent occupancy open for six months because we figured that was a conservative estimate," Dees said at the public hearing for the authority’s budget on June 17.

The budget was approved 4-0 on Thursday.

The five-member authority, which seeks to promote tourism in town, also has Doug Rollins, marketing director for Chateau Elan, on board to help predict how hotel room sales will be in the coming months, she added.

"It’s extremely helpful when you’re working on the budget if the largest hotel in town has their marketing director on your board because you can really pinpoint exactly where you expect to be on occupancy in that hotel," Dees said.

The authority receives a substantial portion of its revenues from its share of the town’s 5 percent hotel and motel tax — a funding source expected to bring about $284,000 in revenue next year. Two percent of the tax goes to the authority while the other 3 percent goes into Braselton’s general fund.

On the expenditures side of the budget, the authority increased its allocation for transportation improvements to help pay for work on the Ga. 211 exit off Interstate 85. The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded one of its Gateway grants to Braselton to plant trees and shrubs by the interchange.

"The state ... will pay for $50,000 worth of landscaping and gateway improvements and the Visitors Bureau will pay for the other portion," which amounts to roughly $30,000, Dees said.

The public relations and special events budget also increased for 2010, which encompasses funding for the annual Fourth of July celebration, Christmas in Braselton, the town’s antique festivals and advertising for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-Off and the Lighting of the Chateau.

The authority decreased its budget in several categories, including a $30,000 reduction in the allocation for the welcome center and about a $6,700 decrease for historic repairs and maintenance.