What document must be made available for public inspection during the budget process?

The Proposed Municipal Budget must be made available for public inspection during the budget process as it is a critical element of local government transparency and accountability. This document outlines the anticipated revenues and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year, allowing community members to understand how public funds are being allocated.

Making the Proposed Municipal Budget available for public review encourages citizen participation in the budgeting process, which is fundamental to democratic governance. This allows residents to provide input or express concerns regarding spending priorities, fostering an environment of community engagement.

In contrast, while the Annual Financial Report, Audit Report, and Capital Improvement Plan are also important documents, they do not specifically serve the same function during the budget process. The Annual Financial Report presents a summary of the municipality's financial status at the end of the fiscal period, the Audit Report reviews financial compliance and performance but is typically compiled after the budget process has concluded, and the Capital Improvement Plan outlines long-term projects and capital expenditures but is not directly focused on the current budgetary considerations. Therefore, the Proposed Municipal Budget stands out as the key document that must be publicly accessible during this time.