MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Melbourne voters will decide the fate of a proposed police building on the November ballot.

• A proposed $35 million police headquarters will be on the ballot
• The department hopes voters say yes on Nov. 6
• The current building is old and in need of repair

Officials say the need is there due to the large growth in the area. But the 35-year-old facility's wear and tear would cost millions to repair.

"It's something that's been happening over time with the police facility," Melbourne Police Department Chief David Gillespie said.

Over the decades the facility has worn down. It was built when Melbourne's population stood at 46,000 and was served by 128 department employees.

Now, Melbourne is home to more than 80,000 residents and the police department's staff has more than doubled.

The police department actually has two buildings, which are a mile and a half apart.

"We want to be able to provide better service and bring all our people under one building," Gillespie said.

Officers and staff consistently deal with tight quarters, leaky ceilings and even mold. The evidence and records rooms are running out of room.

Outside, the port where prisoners arrive is tight on space, and department equipment is exposed to the elements. Making all the repairs and renovations would cost upward of $7 million.

The Melbourne City Council will ask voters to say yes to a referendum to build a new $35 million, 72-thousand square foot police headquarters.

"We are trying to get our police department ready for the future," says Chief Gillespie.

A new police headquarters would also be rated for a Category 5 hurricane and have state-of-the-art communications center to help the public during storms.

The referendum will be on the November 6 ballot.