The municipality’s duties are set out in the Constitution of Finland and the Local Government Act. Chapter 11 of the Constitution of Finland provides self-government and the right to levy municipal tax to municipalities. The Local Government Act provides that all municipalities must have a municipal council, municipal board, municipal manager, auditing committee and a professional auditor.

The municipal council may also set up committees to handle functions of a permanent nature, in addition to setting up management teams. The municipality’s decisions are made by a municipal council that is chosen by the residents in elections held every four years.