The City of Ogdensburg operates under the Council-Manager form of local government, which combines the strong political leadership of an elected City Council with the strong professional experience of an appointed local government administrator.

Under the Council-Manager form, power is concentrated in the elected Council, which hires a professional administrator to implement its policies. This appointee serves at the pleasure of the Council and has responsibility for preparing the preliminary annual budget, directing day-to-day operations, hiring and firing personnel, and serving as the Council's chief policy advisor.

In Ogdensburg, the Council-Manager form of government was established on January 1, 1970, through a Charter Referendum held in 1969. Ogdensburg has had five City Managers since 1970.

Francis J. Culross, Jr. 1970-1978
Gerald F. Johnson 1978-1983
Daniel W. Fitzpatrick 1983-1987
John C. Krol 1987-2005
Arthur J. Sciorra 2006-