The 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 area-wide and non area-wide basis. Area-wide services are those services that are provided both within and outside the incorporated cities of the Borough. Non area-wide services may only be provided outside of the incorporated cities.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough employees over 300 people and with over 70 facilities located in approx. 24,000 miles (roughly the same size as Ireland).