Which of the following best defines a municipality?

A municipality is best defined as a city or town that possesses corporate status and has its own local government, which enables it to manage its affairs and provide services to its residents. Municipalities typically hold the authority to enact and enforce laws, collect taxes, and deliver services such as public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and community services. This corporate status allows them to function independently within the framework of state laws while catering specifically to the needs of their local population.

Understanding the nature of a municipality in this way clarifies its distinction from temporary groups, administrative divisions, or regional governance structures, which do not encapsulate the independent, self-governing characteristics associated with municipalities.