Can’t speak to the highly paid folks and would not begrudge the firefighters or police for the money they earn.
But the average city worker? I had a work associate who wanted to place a bet about road repair crews. Any time more people were working than standing around watching, he would pay me a buck; more watching than working I would pay him a buck. Let’s just say I was glad the bet was only a buck or I might have needed bail out money. Take the bet next time you are out and about.