Which type of local government provides broad discretionary authority and control?

The correct answer is general-purpose local government, which is designed to provide a wide range of services to its residents. This type of government has broad discretionary authority, allowing it to address various community needs such as education, public safety, transportation, and infrastructure. General-purpose governments have the flexibility to adapt their policies and services based on the needs and priorities of their local populations, rather than being confined to a specific set of functions or limited scope.

In contrast, limited-purpose local governments focus on specific responsibilities and may only handle particular areas, such as zoning or public utilities, resulting in less overall control over community governance and services compared to general-purpose governments. Mayor-council systems, while potentially having significant authority, can be more structured in terms of power sharing between the mayor and council, which may limit the discretion of the local government as a whole. Commission systems operate with elected officials who collectively make decisions, which can also lead to more constrained control depending on the dynamics among commissioners.