She said she used to be really worried about what was going on in Washington and that it made her crazy, but she sees a lot of issues with the state.

“It could use a little work,” she said.

Polston spoke to the Standard-Examiner following Tuesday’s truth-in-taxation hearing, in which the City Council passed an approximate 34.25% property tax rate increase, amounting to $1,749,050 in property tax revenue. The effect on a residence of $439,000 is approximately $11.08 per month, while the effect on a business valued at $439,000 is approximately $20.17 per month.

“They have pet projects that lose money that cost taxpayer dollars,” she said.

She mentioned the complex.

“It’s not their job to provide those types of things for us, but they won’t let it go,” she said.

Various arguments used in support of the property tax rate increase have been unconvincing for Polston.

On the idea that a lot of ideas for cuts don’t amount to a consequential amount of savings

“Because the government generates zero dollars, every penny they spend they have taken out of my purse. Every penny,” she said. “And they are not using my money wisely, and I take great offense to that. And I don’t like it.”

On the idea of continued cost-of-living adjustments and wage increases each year

“I think that they can pay the people that work here a fair wage, but we have got some really high positions,” she said. “We are very top-heavy in management, and a private corporation would clean that out in a heartbeat. When they are managing their money correctly, it’s the big guys and middle management that always get cut because they generate no income. The workers do. But they’re unwilling to do that. And I think they can do better. They can always do better. In fact, I’m for no property tax because it is a violation of our constitution.”

On Council member Diane Wilson’s claim that she used to oppose a property tax rate increase but now has seen the other side of the argument

“They’re wasting money and they’re holding on to projects in this city that steal money from my purse, and they’re OK with it,” she said. “And so that’s what she believes is important, but it’s not alright – taking tax dollars from me and spending it on stuff that I don’t want them to.”

On the concern of city employees going to other cities

“Where are they going to go?” she said. “Everywhere else is a hot mess.”

On if property tax rate increases are a one-way ticket out of office

“Absolutely,” she said. “Absolutely. And we will work very hard to make that happen.”

Contact Standard-Examiner editor Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net.