Organisation and administration

The organisation of the town of Viitasaari includes both the town’s own administrative bodies and the common administrative bodies of the Wiitaunioni municipal partnership organisation.

Municipal partnership operating concept and division of labour

Wiitaunioni is the common name given by Viitasaari and Pihtipudas to the operations model used to jointly manage the production of the two municipalities’ services. The joint committees responsible for the joint production of services include the Social Welfare Committee, Education Committee, Technical Committee and the Environmental Committee. The division of labour has been planned to utilise the strengths of both municipalities.

Both members of the municipal partnership are independent, with their own town councils, municipal councils and local governments.

Decision-making

The highest democratic power of decision in the town of Viitasaari is held by the 27-member Town Council elected by the residents. The task of the council is to appoint the Town Board and committees.

Central administration

The central administration of the town of Viitasaari handles any matters addressed to the Town Council and Board, implements the decisions made by them and manages the town’s general communications and reporting tasks. The central administration is headed by the Town Manager, Mr. Jouko Räsänen.

Industry and tourism

The development company Witas Oy, in which the municipality of Kinnula is also a stakeholder, is responsible for the commercial and industrial services of the Wiitaunioni partnership area and for matters related to tourism.