The correct answer is: A. Delegated Authority
Local governments are created by state governments and are granted certain powers by the state. These powers are known as delegated authority. Local governments cannot exercise any powers that have not been delegated to them by the state.
For example, a state government might delegate the power to collect property taxes to a local government. The local government would then be responsible for collecting property taxes and using the revenue to provide services to its residents.
The state government can also revoke the delegated authority of a local government. For example, if a local government is found to be mismanaging its finances, the state government can take away its power to collect property taxes.
B. Higher Authority is incorrect because local governments are subordinate to state governments.
C. Independent Authority is incorrect because local governments are not independent of state governments.
D. Equivalent Authority is incorrect because local governments do not have equivalent authority to state governments.