Final answer:
County and city governments play an important role in local governance, providing services and administering state laws. Municipalities are granted authority by the state and affect the lives of citizens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Municipal governments oversee the operation and functions of cities and towns, while county governments serve a larger geographical area than cities and towns but a smaller area than states. Special districts are units of government with special functions, such as local school districts. Townships, on the other hand, may be subdivisions of a county or simply another name for a town or city.
Counties are the largest political subdivisions and administer state laws within their borders. They have duties such as maintaining jails, collecting taxes, building and repairing roads, and recording official documents. County governments operate under provisions set out in the state constitution and can take different forms of government, such as the commission system or the council-administrator system.
The US Census Bureau uses specific terms for urban areas based on population and commuting patterns. These terms help distinguish between villages, towns, and cities.
Municipalities receive authority to rule from the state and affect the lives of citizens. About 80% of the American population resides in municipalities, and they may be managed by elected mayors or appointed city managers.
County and city governments have a significant impact on citizens' lives and provide services such as clean water, park maintenance, and local law enforcement. It is easier for citizens to interact with local government officials compared to state and national governments. However, voter turnout in local elections tends to be lower than in higher-level elections.