Fayetteville residents who haven't signed up with a natural gas supplier yet can take advantage of a special rate negotiated by the city.

City Council Monday named Peachtree Natural Gas the city's preferred provider for employees and residents.

If you choose to sign up with Peachtree, be sure to specify that you are part of the Fayette County rate package, said Lynn Raven, city director of finance.

You can choose a variable rate of 10 percent below the market rate, or go with a fixed rate of 37.5 cents per therm, good for 12 months.

Is that the lowest rate you can get? Probably.

"We think it's a pretty good rate since Atlanta Gas Light is charging 62 cents per therm right now," said Raven after presenting the recommendation to City Council.

She was part of a team from Fayetteville, Fayette County and other cities in the county. Peachtree City Council approved the designation last week.

The group asked companies to submit proposals, and received five bids, said Raven. "We narrowed it down to three... and then had interviews with those three."

Council members wanted to be sure the chosen provider is going to be around in years to come, and Raven said the group checked out the companies to be sure they're stable. "Peachtree Natural has been in business since 1990, and its main office is in Roswell," she said. "We believe they are very stable."