BLOOMINGTON - U.S. Cellular Coliseum managers Mike Nelson and John Butler each take home an annual paycheck of $87,000.

That is their base salary for operating the 7,500-seat arena in downtown Bloomington.

But Nelson declined to discuss their total earnings, saying their company, Central Illinois Arena Management, is private.

CIAM will receive more than $141,000 in management fees this year. The fee is based on 4 percent of the gross revenue brought into the building, and is part of a 10-year contract with the city.

Nelson said part of the fee amount is used to pay company bills, such as legal fees, audits and other business services. CIAM also paid for $1 million in concession equipment installed before and since the building opened, he said.

But he won't comment on how much is leftover for him and Butler. Nelson did say the amount remaining would not bring them "anywhere near" City Manager Tom Hamilton's salary. As the highest-paid city employee, Hamilton earns $138,800 a year.

No matter what they are making, Ward 4 Alderman Judy Stearns and Ward 9 Alderman Jim Fruin said Nelson and Butler's pay should reflect that they are being held responsible for the Coliseum's profits and losses like any head of a private business.

Ward 8 Alderman John Hanson said he doubted the management fee is profit that will be split between Nelson and Butler.

"In the first few years, like in any business, there is a cost to the operations," Hanson said. "My guess is they'll have a loss for operating CIAM."