Final answer:
A single-purpose local government, like a local school district, is an example of a special district that provides a specific service to the community. County governments, commonly organized under a commission system, and municipal governments manage broader local administrative needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
A single-purpose local government that provides one service to the community typically refers to a special district. These units of government have special functions such as education, fire protection, or sanitation. The best-known example of a single-purpose local government is a local school district. Special districts are particularly common in heavily populated areas where county and city governments might be overloaded with work.
In the United States, there are different systems of county government, with the most common being the commission system. This elected commission acts as the governing body, handling legislative and executive functions, such as adopting a budget and passing resolutions. County governments are administrative units created by the state government and usually operate under a charter that outlines their responsibilities and authority.
Municipal governments, on the other hand, manage cities and towns and can operate under a mayor-council system or a council-manager system. In total, there are over 85,000 local governments in the United States, offering many opportunities for serving as an elected official at a local level.