MANASSAS, Va. -- Prince William County supervisors learned Tuesday the true cost of a new policy to crack down on illegal immigrants.

The plan to pay for the crackdown could mean higher taxes for property owners.

The Prince William County Police Department will put the new immigration policy into effect Monday. They will scrutinize criminal suspects who they suspect are in the country illegally.

Startup funding was approved last week, but on Tuesday, the county executive unveiled the full cost of the proposal and what it will take to fund it.

In Prince William County, real estate values have plunged 16 percent this year, leaving the county government with a potential revenue shortfall. But the county executive presented a proposed budget that would avoid that, by hiking property taxes, in part to fund the illegal immigration crackdown.

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County Board Chairman Corey Stewart said he believes residents support the expensive new initiative even in tough budget times.

"It's making Prince William County a safer place by removing illegal aliens who commit crimes," he said. "There fore I think it's worth it despite the tough budget situation that we're in."

But the board learned the cost of the crackdown has almost tripled since the original estimate last fall. The proposal calls for spending $6.4 million next year and $26 million over the next five years. Most of the money would be used to add officers and buy cameras for their squad cars, which would be used if allegations of racial profiling arise.

One board member questioned the need for the cameras.

"We want these cameras there as much for the protection of the officer as we do to identify incidents of racial profiling," responded Prince William County Executive Craig Gerhart.

Under the proposed budget, property owners would bear the cost through an 8 percent tax hike. That comes to about $260 more per year for the average homeowner.

Owners of commercial real estate would be harder hit, with increases as high as 49 percent.

Tuesday's budget proposal is a starting point. The board will vote on a final budget in April.