Almost 5000 southeast Iowans soon may get a break on their natural gas bills, courtesy of an agreement negotiated by the State’s Consumer Advocate. United Cities Gas Company has agreed to lower its natural gas rates by nearly 10 percent. State Consumer Advocate Gary Stewart says the average natural gas customer should save about $60 per year as a result of the rate reduction. United Cities sells natural gas to about 4800 customers in the Keokuk area. The negotiated rate reduction’s been submitted to the Iowa Utilities Board, which is expected to quickly approve it.