About all

What age do people get ms: Multiple sclerosis – Symptoms and causes

What Is the Age of Onset for Multiple Sclerosis?

  • Typically people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) between the ages of 20 and 40, but late-onset MS (LOMS) affects people age 50 and older.
  • LOMS usually progresses faster than MS diagnosed at a younger age.
  • There are several steps doctors take before making a diagnosis and determining the best course of treatment.
  • Treatments, including rehabilitation and medications, can help manage symptoms of MS.

Typically, people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) between the ages of 20 and 40, but late-onset MS (LOMS) begins to affect people ages 50 and older. The disease’s progression is usually faster in LOMS.

If you have MS, you’re among the more than 2.3 million people worldwide who share this diagnosis. While there isn’t a cure for the condition, treatments that slow MS’s progression and help to reduce symptoms are available.

MS is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS). With MS, the brain, optic nerves or spinal cord — all part of the CNS — become inflamed. When this happens, the nerves’ protective covering, known as myelin, suffers damage.

This damage shows up in MS symptoms ranging from difficulty concentrating to muscle spasms. There are a number of other symptoms, some more common than others.

There are four disease courses, or stages, of MS development:

  • Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). This occurs when symptoms first appear and last for at least 24 hours. Symptoms result from myelin damage in the CNS, but not everyone who gets CIS develops MS.
  • Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). This stage is characterized by attacks, also called relapses, of new or increasing neurological symptoms. Relapses are followed by partial or complete remissions, or recovery.
  • Secondary progressive MS (SPMS). This begins as RRMS but gradually worsens over time. Not all cases of RRMS will transition into SPMS.
  • Primary progressive MS (PPMS). This stage is defined by worsening neurologic functions from the time symptoms first appear. LOMS often starts at this most serious stage.

Adult-onset MS (AOMS) is usually diagnosed in adults ages 20 to 40, but MS can also develop in older adults, teens, and, in rare cases, children.

Children with pediatric MS usually have CIS or RRMS. Children with MS tend to recover more quickly than adults who are diagnosed with MS, since full remission or recovery is common in the RRMS stage.

Pediatric MS is hard to diagnose because it’s similar to acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM). It can, however, lead to serious disability at an early age.

LOMS, which is when symptoms first appear in adults over the age of 50, accounts for 10 percent of all MS diagnoses.

A late diagnosis sometimes happens when people don’t seek medical attention for mild sensory symptoms.

There are a number of symptoms associated with MS. Symptoms are unpredictable and may change over time. In addition, not everyone who is diagnosed with MS will experience the same symptoms.

Some common symptoms include:

  • weakness
  • vision changes
  • fatigue
  • loss of balance
  • bladder dysfunction
  • difficulty understanding or remembering new information

Other symptoms include:

  • depression
  • pain or itching
  • sexual issues
  • emotional changes

Typical LOMS symptoms are related to motor dysfunction and visual problems.

There’s no one test used to diagnose MS. Rather, doctors will perform many tests and exams to first rule out other medical conditions.

The following are typical strategies used by healthcare professionals:

  • Neurological exam. This exam evaluates things like mental status, reflexes, coordination, and sensory function.
  • Detailed clinical history. This process identifies previous symptoms, other diagnoses, and any information relevant to your health.
  • Blood tests. These tests can help rule out other medical conditions that may share similar symptoms to MS.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This scan may detect MS lesions in the brain and spinal cord.
  • Oligoclonal band screening. This screening checks cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for oligoclonal-bands (OCBs) — proteins that can indicate the presence of CNS inflammation.
  • Evoked potential testing. This testing measures how quickly the brain responds to sight, sound, and touch stimulation.

To assess MS progression, doctors sometimes use the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). This scale ranges from 0 (normal neurological exam with no disability in any functional system) to 10 (death from MS). A 2016 study in PLOS One found that people with LOMS reached a 6.0 on the EDSS faster than those with AOMS.

This study looked at people over age 40 in its analysis of people with LOMS.

People who are diagnosed with MS as young adults are most likely to be diagnosed with RRMS. This is the most common disease course with around 85 percent of people with MS determined to have this type.

There are treatments available to help you manage symptoms of MS.

Rehabilitation can help to improve your energy, memory, and mobility. Types of rehabilitation your doctor may recommend include:

  • physical rehab to work on improving balance, strength, and range of motion
  • cognitive rehab to help with communication, organization, and attention
  • occupational rehab for self-management and self-care, including doing chores and enjoying hobbies

Medications, called disease modifying therapies (DMTs), may also be used to treat MS. DMTs work to reduce the amount of relapses and slow the course of the condition.

Everyday symptoms, such as fatigue or bladder and bowel issues, are typically managed with other types of medications — not DMTs. A healthy lifestyle can also address MS symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

Your doctor will create a treatment plan based on how far your MS has progressed and how old you are at its onset.

MS is most often diagnosed between 20 and 40 years of age, but LOMS is usually diagnosed after the age of 50. Disease progression may be faster in LOMS, since it’s often diagnosed as PPMS, the most serious stage of the disease.

Your doctor’s goal is to reach an accurate diagnosis after tests including a neurological exam, clinical history, MRI, OCB screening, and evoked potential testing. After the diagnosis, you and your doctor can decide on a treatment plan that’s right for you.

What Is the Age of Onset for Multiple Sclerosis?

  • Typically people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) between the ages of 20 and 40, but late-onset MS (LOMS) affects people age 50 and older.
  • LOMS usually progresses faster than MS diagnosed at a younger age.
  • There are several steps doctors take before making a diagnosis and determining the best course of treatment.
  • Treatments, including rehabilitation and medications, can help manage symptoms of MS.

Typically, people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) between the ages of 20 and 40, but late-onset MS (LOMS) begins to affect people ages 50 and older. The disease’s progression is usually faster in LOMS.

If you have MS, you’re among the more than 2.3 million people worldwide who share this diagnosis. While there isn’t a cure for the condition, treatments that slow MS’s progression and help to reduce symptoms are available.

MS is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS). With MS, the brain, optic nerves or spinal cord — all part of the CNS — become inflamed. When this happens, the nerves’ protective covering, known as myelin, suffers damage.

This damage shows up in MS symptoms ranging from difficulty concentrating to muscle spasms. There are a number of other symptoms, some more common than others.

There are four disease courses, or stages, of MS development:

  • Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). This occurs when symptoms first appear and last for at least 24 hours. Symptoms result from myelin damage in the CNS, but not everyone who gets CIS develops MS.
  • Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). This stage is characterized by attacks, also called relapses, of new or increasing neurological symptoms. Relapses are followed by partial or complete remissions, or recovery.
  • Secondary progressive MS (SPMS). This begins as RRMS but gradually worsens over time. Not all cases of RRMS will transition into SPMS.
  • Primary progressive MS (PPMS). This stage is defined by worsening neurologic functions from the time symptoms first appear. LOMS often starts at this most serious stage.

Adult-onset MS (AOMS) is usually diagnosed in adults ages 20 to 40, but MS can also develop in older adults, teens, and, in rare cases, children.

Children with pediatric MS usually have CIS or RRMS. Children with MS tend to recover more quickly than adults who are diagnosed with MS, since full remission or recovery is common in the RRMS stage.

Pediatric MS is hard to diagnose because it’s similar to acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM). It can, however, lead to serious disability at an early age.

LOMS, which is when symptoms first appear in adults over the age of 50, accounts for 10 percent of all MS diagnoses.

A late diagnosis sometimes happens when people don’t seek medical attention for mild sensory symptoms.

There are a number of symptoms associated with MS. Symptoms are unpredictable and may change over time. In addition, not everyone who is diagnosed with MS will experience the same symptoms.

Some common symptoms include:

  • weakness
  • vision changes
  • fatigue
  • loss of balance
  • bladder dysfunction
  • difficulty understanding or remembering new information

Other symptoms include:

  • depression
  • pain or itching
  • sexual issues
  • emotional changes

Typical LOMS symptoms are related to motor dysfunction and visual problems.

There’s no one test used to diagnose MS. Rather, doctors will perform many tests and exams to first rule out other medical conditions.

The following are typical strategies used by healthcare professionals:

  • Neurological exam. This exam evaluates things like mental status, reflexes, coordination, and sensory function.
  • Detailed clinical history. This process identifies previous symptoms, other diagnoses, and any information relevant to your health.
  • Blood tests. These tests can help rule out other medical conditions that may share similar symptoms to MS.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This scan may detect MS lesions in the brain and spinal cord.
  • Oligoclonal band screening. This screening checks cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for oligoclonal-bands (OCBs) — proteins that can indicate the presence of CNS inflammation.
  • Evoked potential testing. This testing measures how quickly the brain responds to sight, sound, and touch stimulation.

To assess MS progression, doctors sometimes use the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). This scale ranges from 0 (normal neurological exam with no disability in any functional system) to 10 (death from MS). A 2016 study in PLOS One found that people with LOMS reached a 6.0 on the EDSS faster than those with AOMS.

This study looked at people over age 40 in its analysis of people with LOMS.

People who are diagnosed with MS as young adults are most likely to be diagnosed with RRMS. This is the most common disease course with around 85 percent of people with MS determined to have this type.

There are treatments available to help you manage symptoms of MS.

Rehabilitation can help to improve your energy, memory, and mobility. Types of rehabilitation your doctor may recommend include:

  • physical rehab to work on improving balance, strength, and range of motion
  • cognitive rehab to help with communication, organization, and attention
  • occupational rehab for self-management and self-care, including doing chores and enjoying hobbies

Medications, called disease modifying therapies (DMTs), may also be used to treat MS. DMTs work to reduce the amount of relapses and slow the course of the condition.

Everyday symptoms, such as fatigue or bladder and bowel issues, are typically managed with other types of medications — not DMTs. A healthy lifestyle can also address MS symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

Your doctor will create a treatment plan based on how far your MS has progressed and how old you are at its onset.

MS is most often diagnosed between 20 and 40 years of age, but LOMS is usually diagnosed after the age of 50. Disease progression may be faster in LOMS, since it’s often diagnosed as PPMS, the most serious stage of the disease.

Your doctor’s goal is to reach an accurate diagnosis after tests including a neurological exam, clinical history, MRI, OCB screening, and evoked potential testing. After the diagnosis, you and your doctor can decide on a treatment plan that’s right for you.

2. Requirements and conditions for their implementation for conferring the sports title of Master of Sports of Russia and sports category Candidate for Master of Sports

2. Requirements and conditions for their implementation for conferring the sports title of Master of Sports of Russia and sports category Candidate for Master of Sports.

In sports disciplines in the names

which contain the words “freestyle wrestling”

and “Greco-Roman wrestling” MC

is performed from 15 years old, CMS – from 14 years old;

in sports disciplines in the names

which contain the words “grappling”,

“grappling – gi” and “pankration” MS

is performed from 16 years old, CMS – from 14 years old.

Status of sports competitions, team place

Sports discipline

Sex, age

Requirement: take seat

MS

KMS

1

2

3

4

5

World Championship, Youth Olympic Games

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Boys, girls (under 18)

1 – 3

5 – 7

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Youth (under 18)

1 – 3

5 – 7

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Juniors, juniors (18 – 19 years old)

1 – 2

3

Boys, girls (16 – 17 years old)

1

2 – 3

Boys, girls (14 – 15 years old)

1 – 3

European Championship, European Youth Olympic Festival

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Juniors, juniors (under 21)

1 – 2

3 – 5

Boys, girls (under 18)

1

2 – 3

Boys, girls (under 16)

1

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Juniors (under 21)

1 – 2

3 – 5

Youth (under 18)

1

2 – 3

Youth (under 16)

1

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Juniors, juniors (18 – 19 years old)

1

2 – 3

Boys, girls (16 – 17 years old)

1 – 3

Boys, girls (14 – 15 years old)

1 – 2

Other international sports events included in ETUC

Freestyle wrestling – weight category,

Boys, girls (under 16)

1

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Youth (under 16)

1

World Student Championship

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Juniors, juniors (under 28)

1 – 3

5 – 7

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Juniors (under 28)

1 – 3

5 – 7

Championship of Russia, All-Russian Spartakiad among the subjects of the Russian Federation among the strongest athletes

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Men, women

1 – 5

7 – 10

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Men

1 – 5

7 – 10

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Men

1 – 2

3

Women

1

2 – 3

Cup of Russia

Freestyle wrestling – team competition

Men, women

1 – 3 <*>

4 – 6 <*>

<*> Condition: the requirement is met if the athlete won at least 50% of the fights held and participated in at least 50% of the meetings held by the team

Greco-Roman wrestling – team competition

Men

1 – 3 <*>

4 – 6 <*>

<*> Condition: the requirement is met if the athlete won at least 50% of the fights held and participated in at least 50% of the meetings held by the team

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Men, women

1

2 – 3

Russian Championship, All-Russian Spartakiad between the constituent entities of the Russian Federation

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Juniors, juniors (under 24)

1 – 3

5 – 7

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Juniors, juniors (under 21)

1 – 2

3 – 5

Freestyle wrestling – team competition

Juniors (under 21)

1 – 2 <*>

3 – 5 <*>

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Boys, girls (under 18)

1 – 5

Freestyle wrestling – team competition

Youth (under 18)

1 – 3 <*>

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Boys, girls (under 16)

1

<*> Condition: the requirement is met if the athlete won at least 50% of the fights held and participated in at least 50% of the meetings held by the team

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Juniors (under 24)

1 – 3

5 – 7

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Juniors (under 21)

1 – 2

3 – 5

Greco-Roman wrestling – team competition

Juniors (under 21)

1 – 2 <*>

3 – 5 <*>

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Youth (under 18)

1 – 5

Greco-Roman wrestling – team competition

Youth (under 18)

1 – 3 <*>

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Youth (under 16)

1

<*> Condition: the requirement is met if the athlete won at least 50% of the fights held and participated in at least 50% of the meetings held by the team

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Juniors, juniors (18 – 19 years old)

1 – 3

Boys, girls (16 – 17 years old)

1 – 2

Boys, girls (14 – 15 years old)

1

(as amended by the Order of the Ministry of Sports of Russia dated February 10, 2021 N 71)

(see the text in the previous edition)

Other all-Russian sports competitions included in the ETUC

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Men, women

1

2 – 5

Juniors, juniors (under 24)

1

2 – 5

Juniors, juniors (under 21)

1

2 – 5

Boys, girls (under 18)

1 – 3

Boys, girls (under 16)

1

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Men

1

2 – 5

Juniors (under 24)

1

2 – 5

Juniors (under 21)

1

2 – 5

Youth (under 18)

1 – 3

Youth (under 16)

1

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Men, women

1 <*>

1 – 3

<*> Condition: the requirement is met if the athlete takes 1st place in two sports competitions in the corresponding sports discipline within two years

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Juniors, juniors (18 – 19 years old)

1 – 3

Boys, girls (16 – 17 years old)

1 – 2

Boys, girls (14 – 15 years old)

1

(as amended by the Order of the Ministry of Sports of Russia dated February 10, 2021 N 71)

(see the text in the previous edition)

All-Russian competition among students

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Juniors, juniors (under 28)

1

2 – 5

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Juniors (under 28)

1

2 – 5

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category

Juniors (under 28)

1 – 3

Championship of the federal district, championships of Moscow, St. Petersburg, which won the team overall at the Russian Championship the previous year:

1st – 2nd place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category,

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Men

1 – 3 <*>

5 – 8 <*>

3rd – 6th place

1 – 2 <*>

3 – 5 <*>

7th – 10th place

1 <*>

2 – 3 <*>

1st – 2nd place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Women

1 – 8 <*>

3rd – 6th place

1 – 5 <*>

7th – 10th place

1 – 3 <*>

<*> Condition: the requirement is met subject to the participation of at least 50% of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation of the corresponding federal district

1st – 2nd place

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Men, women

1 – 3 <*>

3rd – 6th place

1 – 2 <*>

7th – 10th place

1 <*>

<*> Condition: the requirement is met subject to the participation of at least 50% of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation of the corresponding federal district

Championship of the federal district, championship of Moscow, St. Petersburg, which won the team championship in the previous year in Russia:

1st – 2nd place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category,

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category (included in the program of the Olympic Games)

Juniors (under 24)

1 – 2

3 – 5

3rd – 10th place

1

2 – 5

1st – 2nd place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category,

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category (included in the program of the Olympic Games)

Juniors (under 21)

1 – 2

3 – 5

3rd – 10th place

1

2 – 5

1st – 2nd place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Juniors (under 21)

1 – 5

3rd – 10th place

1 – 3

1st – 2nd place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category,

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Boys, girls (under 18)

1 – 3

3rd – 6th place

1 – 2

7th – 10th place

1

1st – 2nd place

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

pankration – classic – weight category

Juniors, juniors (18 – 19 years old)

1 – 2

3rd – 10th place

1

1st – 2nd place

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Boys, girls (16 – 17 years old)

1

1st – 2nd place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category

Juniors (under 24)

1-5

3rd – 10th place

1-3

(introduced by Order of the Ministry of Sports of Russia dated February 10, 2021 N 71)

Championship of the subject of the Russian Federation (except for Moscow and St. Petersburg), which won the team overall at the Russian Championship the previous year:

1st – 3rd place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category,

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Men, women

1 – 5 <*>

4th – 10th place

1 – 3 <*>

11th – 15th place

1 – 2 <*>

16th – 20th place

1 <*>

<*> Condition: the requirement is met, subject to participation in the weight category of at least 2 MCs

1st – 10th place

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Men, women

1 <*>

<*> Condition: CCM is assigned with participation in the weight category of at least 2 MS, in the absence of 2 MS, I sports category is assigned

Championship of the subject of the Russian Federation (except for Moscow and St. Petersburg), which won the team overall at the Russian Championship the previous year:

1st – 10th place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category,

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Juniors, juniors (under 24)

1 – 3

11th – 15th place

1 – 2

1 – 10th place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category,

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Juniors, juniors (under 21)

1 – 2

11th – 15th place

1

1st – 10th place

Freestyle wrestling – weight category,

Greco-Roman wrestling – weight category

Boys, girls (under 18)

1

1st – 7th place

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi, weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Juniors, juniors (18 – 19 years old)

1

1st – 3rd place

Grappling – weight category,

grappling – gi – weight category,

traditional pankration – weight category,

classic pankration – weight category

Boys, girls (16 – 17 years old)

1

Other terms

In order to compete in sport competitions, the athlete must reach the age limit in the calendar year of the sport competition

——————————–

<2> Including sports disciplines whose names contain the indicated words.

Grade standards and requirements – Sports School. L.A. Tikhomirova

Norms, requirements and conditions for their implementation in the sport “rhythmic gymnastics”

Norms and conditions for their implementation for conferring the sports title of master of sports of Russia, sports categories

from 01.01.2018

MS is performed from 16 years old, CMS – from 13 years old, I sports category – from 11 years old,

II sports category – from 10 years old, III sports category – from 9 years old,

I youth sports category – from 8 years old , II youth sports category – from 7 years old, III youth sports category – from 6 years old.

district all-around standard Group exercise regulation
MS Points for 4 exercises with apparatus 66. 0 Points for 2 exercises with apparatus 32.0
KMS Points for 4 exercises with apparatus 58.0 Points for 2 exercises with apparatus 28.0
I Points for 4 exercises:

1 exercise without object and 3 exercises with object of your choice

50.0 Points for 2 exercises with apparatus 25.0
II Points for 4 exercises:

1 exercise without apparatus and 3 exercises with apparatus of your choice

46.0 Points for 2 exercises:

1 exercise without apparatus and 1 exercise with apparatus

22.0
III Points for 3 exercises:

1 exercise without object and 2 exercises with object of your choice

33. 0 Points for 2 exercises:

1 exercise without object and 1 exercise with object of your choice

20.0
I jn Points for 2 exercises:

1 exercise without object and 1 exercise with object of your choice

19.5 Points for 1 exercise without apparatus 9.0
II Jun Points for 1 exercise without subject 8.5 Points for 1 exercise without apparatus 8.5
III Jun Points for 1 exercise without apparatus 8.0 Points for 1 exercise without apparatus 8.0

Other conditions

1. MC is assigned:

1.1. For the fulfillment of the norm in the sports discipline “all-around” – with the obligatory participation of at least 20 athletes with MS and (or) MSMK.

1.2. For the fulfillment of the norm in the sports discipline “group exercise” – all-around with the obligatory participation of at least 10 groups and at least 20 MS and (or) MSMK athletes.

2. Norm of sports title of MC must be fulfilled :

2.1. Once at the Russian Championship or Russian Cup.

2.2. Twice during the current year: the first time – at other All-Russian sports competitions included in the ETUC, among women (at the same time occupy places not lower than 10) and the second time – at the championship of the federal district, two or more federal districts, championships of Moscow, Petersburg (at the same time take a place not lower than 15). The MS norm must be performed twice: in the all-around or twice in the all-around group exercise, or once in the all-around and once in the all-around group exercise.

3. CCM is assigned:

3.1. For the fulfillment of the norm in the sports discipline “all-around” – with the participation of at least 20 athletes with CMS.

3.2. For the fulfillment of the norm in the sports discipline “group exercise” – all-around with the participation of at least 10 groups and at least 20 CCM athletes.

4. The CMS norm must be met :

4.1. Once at the championship of Russia.

4.2. Twice during the current year: the first time – at other All-Russian sports competitions included in the ETUC among juniors and the second time – at the championship of the subject of the Russian Federation. The CCM norm must be performed twice: in the all-around or twice in the all-around group exercise, or once in the all-around and once in the all-around group exercise.

5. The norm of 1 sports category must be fulfilled:

5.1. Once at the championship of Russia.

5.2. Twice during the current year at sports competitions not lower than the status of a municipality.