I think if Deb really wants to have fun...just put up one big sign at the entry point of the town...with her picture and a police cruiser in the background...and have the slogan "Don't worry about the criminals...for a $1.16, its the cops you have to worry about." Everyone would be laughing it up for months and the whole city council would eventually be replaced because of the "joke". Its simple to take them to the mat and make them pay long-term. If you figure man-hours here...the cops and the city have spent easily over $250 already messing with the arrest of this woman. This gives you an idea of priorities in this town.
In the city's view, this is not about this woman and her $1. It is about creating a climate of fear that ensures that the rest of the other 'free' citizens 'voluntarily' comply with their masters decrees. A couple of hundred $pent persecuting this woman is cheaper in the long run than auditing hundreds of other people.
She should request a payment plan at a penny a month.