The future of Skyway is in the hands of its government, King County, where it rightly belongs.

Because of that, the county must act quickly – within days – to accept a request by the City of Renton for nearly $6 million over two years to help pay for the transition costs if Skyway votes to annex to Renton.

Without that county money, Mayor Denis Law can’t stand alongside current Renton residents and in good faith recommend the City Council place the Skyway annexation on an early 2012 election ballot.

Renton is Skyway’s best hope of ever overcoming the years of neglect by the county. There are millions of dollars in new roads, sidewalks and other basic capital projects that are waiting a government willing to invest in this neighborhood.

Renton is willing to make those investments over time but only if King County TODAY makes some short-term investments to ease the burden on Renton’s taxpayers of providing initial city services.

In other words, the county just can’t dump Skyway on Renton.

For too long, Skyway has been a step-child of the county, its social fabric frayed by violence and gangs. Even Sheriff Sue Rahr at the funeral for 12-year-old Alajawan Brown said her department failed Skyway. Alajawan is the boy shot and killed walking home with a new pair of football cleats he just bought at Walmart.

It’s probably best not to bash someone when a hand is extended for help. But Skyway is long past relying on social niceties that could lead to a better quality of life.

Skyway is well aware of its problems – and its potential. And so is Renton.

Already, residents are working to make Skyway better. Just look at improvements made at Skyway Park with the hard work of local residents (and, yes, with the help of King County.)

Skyway Solutions is rallying residents to talk about issues that tear them apart, including racial polarization, and that threaten their well-being, including the all-too-frequent acts of violence.

Renton has reached out to Skyway Solutions and other groups intent on making Skyway better or to governments that may have the money to make those intentions a reality.

In fact, Mayor Law and his staff have had Skyway on the front burner for 2 1/2 years, trying to make annexation pencil out without burdening current residents. Renton has much to offer Skyway and has a plan to make this neighborhood a great place to live.

So what happens if King County doesn’t step up to the plate? Instantly, the Renton City Council is forced to face perhaps one of the biggest decisions ever to confront the city’s leaders.

That question, of course, is whether to place the annexation of Skyway/West Hill on the ballot. Despite its annexation policy and a recommendation (not yet made) from Law against an annexation vote, the council has the power to give Skyway voters the chance to decide their future.

Excuse the City Council members if they don’t make the commitment lightly, because it comes with a $1.7 million cost, the shortfall in the operating budget between revenues and expenses in each of the first two years of annexation. That roughly $3.4 million is part of Renton’s request to the county.

But Renton has social and economic ties to Skyway, a gateway to the city. Its eastern flank overlooks downtown Renton. You can’t say that about Fairwood, which will vote in November on whether to annex to Renton. Most of Skyway’s kids go to Renton schools.

So, surely, there are reasons – and many beyond those I just mentioned – why the City Council should let Skyway residents vote. It’s a leap of faith for the city, as council member Randy Corman said at a recent meeting.

The decision is politically fraught. But years ago a City Council decided – it was controversial – that at some time Renton should annex Skyway/West Hill. That time is now, despite the risk and challenges. Better times are ahead; that leap of faith will have a soft landing.

Renton sees Skyway’s future. King County sees Skyway as burden of urban proportions. The county has a willing suitor – Renton – to embrace Skyway/West Hill. That $6 million dowry is a bargain and the county should pay it willingly.

After all, it is the county’s responsibility to ensure its residents are well-served by their government.