First question that needs to be answered is "are the taxes levied, i.e. all taxes, sufficient to generate the income to provide the needed services?"

Then one can discuss fairness, collection and efficiency of goverment, etc.

My question to the Mayoress would be: If all the taxes were collected, could you provide the needed services that you are not?.

If her answer was yes, then I would say collect the damn taxes and give the services. If the answer is no, then decide what is needed and how to get it - that is your job.