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A beloved west-side community center is now in the hands of Salt Lake County.

Citing budget concerns and impending cutbacks, the Salt Lake City Council agreed to transfer control of the Sorenson Multicultural Center beginning Jan. 1.

“This is a difficult and challenging decision,” City Council Chairman Carlton Christensen said prior to Tuesday’s 6-1 vote. “I would be reluctant to go down that road if I didn’t feel, within my own community, that a similar quality of product and programs” has been provided by Salt Lake County.

The transfer knocks about $260,000 off the city’s current $1.1 million annual contribution to the center. Without the deal, city officials estimated they would have to cover an additional $400,000 each year to take control of the Steiner West swimming pool.

Councilman Luke Garrott, the lone holdout, said the transfer made sense from an administrative standpoint but could hurt the community.

“It might cost us more money,” Garrott said, “… but I think the city should be in the business of running quality after-school programs that are different.”

As part of the transfer agreement, city and county officials will contribute to a scholarship program to help offset the differences in fees.

The agreement also calls for county officials continue operating the center at its current hours and with its current programs — unless a change is approved by a board of residents.

West-side residents have expressed concerns about the power swap, arguing the transfer would saddle families with higher fees and lesser services.

“You’ve told the children of the Glendale community that they’re not worth squat,” Glendale resident Jose Garcia told the council following the vote.

e-mail: afalk@desnews.com