Government

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough was incorporated as a second class borough in 1964 with a manager form of government, governed by an elected mayor and Assembly. Borough services are provided on an areawide and non-areawide basis. Areawide services are those services that are provided both within and outside the incorporated cities of the Borough. Non-areawide services may only be provided outside of the incorporated cities.

Executive duties of the Borough are vested in the   mayor, who acts as the ceremonial head of the borough and appoints members of boards. The mayor presides over assembly meetings, and takes part in discussion, but only votes in the case of a tie. The Mayor also has veto power.

The legislative power of the Borough is vested in the Assembly. The Assembly is comprised of seven members elected from geographic districts and  Assembly approves the budget, sets the mill rate for taxation, appropriates funds to provide for Borough services, and establishes policy which is executed by the administration.

The Manager is the chief administrative officer of the Borough, and is responsible for the proper administration of all Borough affairs and implementation of Borough policy as established by the Assembly.  The Manager is appointed by the Assembly and serves at its pleasure.