Renton City Council voted six to one Monday night to recommend annexing to the King County Library System.

The council still has to adopt a resolution formalizing its decision. That resolution will then go to the Renton Public Library Board for a recommendation. The council will then take a final vote. If approved, city staff will begin cost and service negotiations with KCLS.

Renton residents must vote to approve any annexation. That election has not yet been scheduled, but will likely be a special election after November, said City Council member Terri Briere, chair of the council’s Community Services Committee. Public meetings will be held before an election.

The council’s Monday vote went against the recommendation of a 20-year master plan for the city’s two libraries. That city-commissioned report, released in June, recommended Renton Public Library maintain its independence, but that the City of Renton significantly improve library services and facilities.

The proposed two-phased improvement plan would have cost about $2.5 million, not including construction costs.

Briere said that investment is unrealistic in this troubled economy.

“It just seemed like the best thing to do to give the best service to the public,” she said of the annexation vote. “I’m disappointed that’s the way it has to be, but we have to be realistic.”