all of the following are examples of special-purpose governments except

a) city councils
b) school districts
c) port authorities
d) fire departments

Which one deals with a wide variety of issues, not the issues of a very specific need?

Nope.

The answer is option d) fire departments. Fire departments are not considered special-purpose governments. Special-purpose governments usually refer to specific entities or organizations that are created to handle and administer certain specific functions or services, such as city councils, school districts, and port authorities. Fire departments, on the other hand, are typically a division or branch within a local government rather than being separate special-purpose entities.

To determine the correct answer, let's break down each option and identify if it fits the criteria of a special-purpose government.

a) City councils: City councils are indeed an example of special-purpose governments. They are responsible for making laws and policies at the local level, representing the interests of the citizens in a specific city or municipality. Therefore, city councils are not the correct answer.

b) School districts: School districts are also considered special-purpose governments. They are responsible for overseeing the public education system within a specific geographical area, ensuring the delivery of quality education to students. Thus, school districts do not fit the criteria of the answer.

c) Port authorities: Port authorities are often special-purpose governments. Their main responsibility is to manage and operate ports, harbors, and related facilities. Port authorities handle tasks such as regulating maritime activities, facilitating trade, and promoting economic growth through port operations. This makes port authorities eligible as a special-purpose government, so it is not the correct answer.

d) Fire departments: Fire departments, while vital for the safety and well-being of the community, are not typically classified as special-purpose governments. Fire departments are usually agencies within municipal or county governments, tasked with fire prevention, extinguishing fires, and providing emergency medical services. Therefore, out of the four options provided, fire departments are the correct answer as they do not fall under the category of special-purpose governments.

In summary, the correct answer is d) fire departments.