Local lawmakers are working on a bill aimed at making the Hilton Head No. 1 Public Service District's commissioners elected instead of appointed by the governor.

State Sen. Scott Richardson and state Rep. JoAnne Gilham, both Hilton Head Island Republicans, are working together to craft legislation that also would outline how the election process would work.

The push for the bill was prompted by results of an opinion poll of the utility's customers.

About 79 percent of the customers who participated in the survey voted to elect the commissioners -- 65 percent for a binding election and 13 percent for an advisory referendum.

Only about 20 percent of customers voted to keep the commissioners appointed by the governor. Of the nearly 8,800 surveys mailed last month, more than 2,100 were returned.

Richardson said he has asked the state Office of Research and Statistics to create several options for voter precincts within the utility district.

After those options are created, Richardson and Gilham must decide the number of commissioners and how many would be elected at-large or in individual precincts, said Richardson.

In addition, he wants to make sure the legislation they introduce will pass muster with the federal Justice Department.

The agency must approve any election in the utility district because of the district's racial diversity.

"We can pass the law, but it's up to the Justice Department to pass off on if you can do this or not," Richardson said. "If they reject it, you're back to square one."

The utility serves about 16,000 customers on Hilton Head's north end and on Jenkins Island.

Gilham has said she and Richardson need to get together to discuss the bill in more detail.

"We've got to sit down, but it just has been a busy time," she said Friday.

Richardson said he hopes to have the bill introduced by early May. The issue will be taken up again in 2004 if it's not settled this term.

The Beaufort County Legislative Delegation also is working on filling two empty spots on the commission.

Richardson said candidates were being considered. Neither he nor Gilham would release the names.

"Hopefully, that will be done soon," Richardson said.

Once the delegation forwards it recommendations to the governor's office, it should be only a few weeks before the candidates are formally appointed, a spokesman for the governor said.

Commission Chairwoman Sarah Takacs said she was eager to fill the spots left open by the departures of Barry Ginn and Joel Dobbins.

"I think it would be helpful." Takacs said. "I think that having a full body of commissioners adds to the input of different points of view."