cd4017 switch control question

I am working on a circuit that will control the selections on a arcade pcb. Basically I have a 6-in-1 arcade pcb switcher (a board that holds 6 individual jamma boards), when you press a button on a wireless remote it switches to the selected board. The wireless interface to the pcb board is very simple and has already been figured out by someone else. The main PCB has a wireless daughter board attached that connects via 6 pins (one to turn on each board), +5, and negative. Each of the 6 pins controls which of the boards is active by going high. Currently people are putting a rotary switch in place of the wireless board on the main board. I want to do something different so that the machine looks totally stock. I want to make it where you push both "start" buttons at the same time and the game switches to each of the different boards in secession. I currently have a cd4017 decade counter wired up as shown in the figure below. My question is how do I control the chip with the two "start" buttons? I can't wire + on one button and neg on the other or they will ground when you push each of them individually. I have been trying to figure out how to use a 555 to control the 4017 but am stuck. Also I am not married to the cd4017 so if there is a better way please let me know. I am very electronics illiterate but can read circuit diagrams and prototype the board. Also I would like the board to remember the last board or setting after power down. I guess I am building an electronic rotary switch. Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance.

I currently have the circuit below built and attached to the board which switches just fine, I just cannot control the switching by pressing both "start" buttons at the same time. Both "start" switches are wired high and low sharing a common ground, if this helps. Also if it helps the "start" buttons are 3 terminal, +5, "-", and Normally closed "-".