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User fees primarily serve to cover the costs of specific services provided by the government or public agencies to the users of those services. When a government entity charges user fees, it typically does so to ensure that the costs associated with providing particular services—such as park maintenance, public transportation, or water utilities—are met directly by the users who benefit from those services, rather than being funded by general taxation.

This approach allows for a more equitable distribution of costs, as users pay proportionate to their use of the services. For instance, if a community pool charges admission fees, those funds directly support the maintenance and operation of the pool, thereby aligning costs with consumption. This method can also enhance accountability, as it often leads to greater transparency about how public resources are allocated and spent.

In contrast, options that suggest user fees are intended to raise general revenue or support broad government programs like education or social welfare do not accurately reflect the targeted nature of user fees, which are designed specifically to offset costs related to particular programs or services.