The board of the Lawrence chamber of commerce voted unanimously to support a sales tax increase for a new police headquarters, the group announced Friday.

A letter from Mike McGrew, chair of The Chamber, Lawrence, Kansas, said: “Public safety is a significant factor in deciding where to start or expand a business. It also has a meaningful impact on quality of life and the migration decisions of companies and highly skilled individuals.”

Voters will decide whether to approve the tax Nov. 4. A 0.2 percent sales tax that would fund a new headquarters, which would include space for officers, detectives, administration, training facilities, evidence storage and other functions. City commissioners have proposed building the facility on a $2.25 million piece of property near the Kansas Turnpike interchange on McDonald Drive.

Police officials have said that having staff spread around the city in several substandard facilities causes problems with efficiency.