The article analyzes problems and prospects of self-administration development in the subjects of the Baikal region (Irkutsk Oblast, Republic of Buryatia, and Transbaikal Region). The article uses the empirical data obtained by the author in the course of sociological research in Irkutsk Oblast, Republic of Buryatia and Transbaikal Region in 2014–2015. The research aimed at the exposure of specifics and peculiarities of the functioning models of local self-administration in the three regions. It was established that thanks to amendments to the Russian legislation, concerning local self-administration, the three subjects of the Russian Federation currently search for the most optimal model of operation of municipal power. This concerns the abolishment of the direct mayor elections and the introduction of a “city manager” institution, not very good performance of a hired administration head and the return of the direct elections. The research results showed that the majority of experts spoke in favor of direct mayor elections, some supported appointment of all heads at all levels, and the minority opted for a model of local self-administration with the “city manager” institute and elections of the head of a municipal unit from the ranks of a local representative assembly. Practically no experts approved of the introduction of a two-level model of local self-administration organization in large urban districts.