Warrenton aldermen recently tabled action on the reappointment of City Attorney Chris Graville after concerns were raised by one member concerning the process by which the matter was presented.Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch questioned whether the full board should have discussed the matter of Graville’s compensation package — which included an offer of health coverage by the city — in an open meeting June 18.The board discussed the matter in closed session, and then Mayor Jerry Dyer spoke with Graville about his proposed reappointment.As mayor, Dyer is responsible for appointing the city attorney, but the appointment requires approval by the board.The board was scheduled to take action on the appointment at the June 18 meeting, but tabled the matter to give members additional time for review.“If a deal was worked out several years ago, why move away now?” Auch asked. “I was elected by people who feel contract employees are inappropriate. I feel it’s not fair to the taxpayers of Warrenton.”Dyer said city officials had been working on a way to offer Graville compensation for the services he provides to the city.“We noticed he hasn’t had a raise in a couple of years, so we’re trying to find a way to compensate him,” Dyer remarked. “One way to do that is to offer him health insurance.”“If we intend on retaining his counsel, then we have to decide what does it take to compensate him fairly so he will accept that appointment,” asserted Ward 1 Alderman John Cornell.Graville noted that his responsibilities as the city’s attorney have changed since he was first appointed to the position approximately eight years ago.For example, Graville said that when he first became Warrenton’s city attorney, municipal court would last about two hours.Today, municipal court requires a full day to dispose of all the cases.“We’re talking about a service that’s hard to put a value on until you don’t have it,” stated Ward 1 Alderwoman Karen Casserly. “We’re getting a lot more out of Chris Graville than we realize.”Dyer pointed out that he perceived a major stumbling block in the discussion was the option of offering health coverage to Graville.“What’s the secondary option?” Casserly asked.“The secondary option is increasing his base salary to a comparable amount,” Dyer replied.The board will consider reappointment of Graville as city attorney at a future meeting.