The Renton Public Library took one step closer to annexing to the King County Library System (KCLS), after City Council voted Monday to put the issue on February’s ballot.

The long-discussed idea was forced into action after the city faced a $6 million budget shortfall this year and as it prepares for millions in cuts next year.

“It’s the only thing that we can do,” said council member Don Persson, who once opposed annexation. “We can’t afford to run a library on our own anymore.”

While the city is scrambling to maintain services in poor economic times, some residents fear losing the library’s community feel.

“They host a lot of the events and happenings of the community,” said Renton’s Virginia Decker. “If they were apart of the King County system, that wouldn’t happen.”

Poor economic times shouldn’t drive the decision, because once the library joins KCLS, it can’t turn back, said Marcie Palmer, the one council member who voted against placing the matter on the ballot.

Earlier this year, the Renton library submitted a master plan to the City Council, proposing millions in needed upgrades, which would more than double the library’s $2.1 million budget in addition to building projects. The alternative offer was to annex to KCLS.

However, with the city’s budget crisis, the library will likely see budget cuts to its already lean program, Persson said. “If we would continue to offer a library, we’d be scaling back our services,” he said.

Some speculate the cuts could run as deep as closing the Highlands branch.

“There will definitely be reductions that the public will definitely see,” library director Bette Anderson said, adding that the library is expecting to at least cut back staff hours.

In addition a shrinking budget, Renton has been paying increasing fees for residents to use the KCLS libraries.

For several years KCLS assumed the cross-use of libraries was balanced, Anderson said. “Two years ago they decided that they didn’t think it was even.”

KCLS started charging for Renton residents to use their libraries.

Though annual fees started with $72,000 in 2008, that number jumped to $278,000 for 2009, as new residents still use their old KCLS library, Anderson said.

Libraries used to be simple, offering books to locals, but now they’ve grown with computers and reading programs, Persson said. “It’s become a far bigger resource than it ever was before, and it’s difficult for a small city to afford.”

More books, computers, digital offerings, adult programs and updated building infrastructure top the list of library needs, Anderson said.

Some disagree that major changes are necessary.

“I don’t think that the Renton library needs to compete with the King County Library System,” Palmer said. “The Renton library has its own niche.”

Even if the Renton library didn’t seek improvements, the current budget won’t sustain the library for long, Palmer said.

“Something is going to have to give,” she said. “I believe we should ask our taxpayers to keep the library system the way it is.”

The library’s cost to residents is tricky, because it comes from the general budget instead of an individual levy, Anderson said.

Currently, residents with a $400,000 house pay about $104 for the library. With the library’s proposed upgrades that could rise to about $260 per year.

This year homeowners would have paid about $249 if they were apart of KCLS.

There hasn’t been discussion about reducing current city taxes if the annexation occurs. So knowing whether annexing would cost more or less is undecided.

“If they do go to King County, they will pay substantially more,” Palmer said of Renton residents.

KCLS would look at expanding the Renton library downtown and move the Highlands branch, said KCLS spokesperson Julie Williams. “We’d be looking at a larger and more accessible location.”

Those supporting an independent library say a switch to KCLS would mean having staff who are unfamiliar with the community.

KCLS staff are organized so that some rotate to different libraries throughout the week, Anderson said.

“You don’t know the children’s librarian and the staff, unless you go in everyday,” said Renton’s Shannon Avery.

The terms of an annexation are still being negotiated, though KCLS intends to transition all of Renton’s staff, Williams said.

Residents will vote on KCLS in February’s special election.

“I think it’s important that it goes to the voters,” Persson said. “It’s a difficult decision.”