generally give the date of expenditure, name of account or person charged for the expense, name of the contractor or individual providing the service or product, and the amount of the expenditure; in some cases there is also a reference to the Common Council resolution authorizing the expenditure; included are such matters as grading & levelling streets and sidewalks, gas lighting (with locations of lights included), construction/repair of streets & sidewalks, stationary supplies delivered, removal of dead animals, and rental of property for animal pounds. Volume one (1852-1856) includes an "index" list of contractors at the front of the book. In the rear of volume two (1856-1858) are also separate accounts for contingent expenses, public places, nuisance wharves, bridge repairs, etc.

An example, from April 20, 1858: "City of New Orleans [payable to] Jas. Lindsay for 1264 feet of gutter around the Place d'Armes, 22c per running foot = $278.08 ..."