Plans to annex Klahanie to a city are moving quicker than expected, but Issaquah’s leadership has far from decided whether to add the neighborhood to its boundaries or pass it off to Sammamish.

For Issaquah City Council, it comes down to the money.

If it costs more to operate Klahanie than it pays out, annexing would be a bad move for the rest of the city, said Tola Marts, council president. “My heart is with the Klahanie folks, but I have to use my head.”

To figure out how much the neighborhood would cost to run, the council decided to add a $100,000 study to its budget next year.  Interest is so high on the council, some even hope to get enough money to start the study this fall.

Part of the push is politics. At the end of 2013, Issaquah could lose four of its seven councilmembers and Mayor Ava Frisinger’s seat will be up for election.

“We feel it’s a responsibility that this council resolve this issue before the end of next year,” Marts said.

If the study comes back positive for annexation, a vote could be introduced and approved in 2013.

That’s the hope of Rob Young, who has been leading the charge among Klahanie residents for the past year. He turned in a petition with 10 percent of the community’s signatures just before the council made a  decision at its annual goal setting retreat June 2. Council expects to finalize the goals June 18.

While Young cares more about Klahanie joining a city than which one, he hopes Issaquah works out, because it’s the quickest route. ­Cuts in the county have threatened the neighborhood’s largest park, and the homeowners association is already shelling out money to fix sidewalks and pay for extra police.

If City Council decides against annexation, it’s more likely to get Sammamish involved then let community continue to sit under King County.

Potential annexation areas have never been moved before, and if it succeeded, Sammamish would have to go through its own annexation process. Sammamish has been favorable to annexations, because most of its revenue is based on property taxes, whereas Issaquah has more businesses to lean on.

Sammamish leadership doesn’t want to get involved until after Issaquah makes up its mind.

Eastside Fire and Rescue, however, has such high stakes in Klahanie going to Issaquah that two fire districts have offered money for Issaquah’s study. Sammamish is discussing pulling out of EF&R, and Klahanie represents a large chunk of revenue for District 10.

It all comes down to the study. Councilmembers need more data, Marts said.  “I don’t think there are four councilmembers who are ready to annex Klahanie, and I don’t think there are four councilmembers who are ready to give it to Sammamish.”