The officialism of Petrozavodsk was represented by several dozen senior officials, seconded or transferred to service from other provinces. Most of the officials, not having their own housing in the city, rented apartments from Petrozavodsk suburbanites.
The head of the local administration was the governor. He was the chairman of the provincial government - the highest administrative and police institution of the province, which consisted of a general presence and an administrative office.
In addition to the governor, the general presence included: the vice-governor, two councilors, the provincial medical inspector, the provincial engineer, the provincial architect and the assessor. The vice-governor, advisers and assessor participated in board meetings on all matters, and other members were present only on matters relating to the construction, boundary or medical part. The office of the provincial government was divided into five departments, which were led by advisers.
The city administration of Petrozavodsk was headed by the mayor. His competence included urban issues. Since 1870, the Petrozavodsk Town Hall has been operating - a local self-government body, limited by the supervision of the provincial government for city affairs, headed by the governor.
