PLEASANT PLAINS INSTALLS
COMPUTER WATER BILLING

Small communities — take notice! The village of Pleasant Plains has demonstrated that the advantages of mechanization needn't be limited to big cities with big budgets. Answering an ad in the Review, village officials found they could purchase a new computer, an accounting system, and a top-notch water billing system, all without straining their budget. Not that remarkable? Well, let's take a closer look at this delightful rural community to put the event in perspective.

Located in the heart of the Illinois prairieland, a few miles west of historic Clayville on route 125, Pleasant Plains has a population of just 700 (give or take a few). It is a real microcosm of rapidly vanishing American rural living. The gently rolling farm land around them might have looked the same a hundred years ago; an aura of timeless tranquility hangs comfortably over the town. Residents enjoy a friendly, easy-paced life-style; visitors find a warm welcome and a taste of unspoiled country hospitality.

Founded in 1857 by John Epier and Dr. Ataerton, who combined their properties to establish the village, Pleasant Plains encompasses nearly a century and a half of prairie history. Famous circuit rider Peter Cartwright established a church there which still bears his name. Many of the lovely turn-of-the-century homes are still in use and spacious yards are the rule rather than the exception. Though never large, the village was always a bustling community servicing the rural population for miles about. Business thrived there for nearly a century, until easy transportation diverted much of that business to the larger towns miles away. Still, the lure of gentle country living persuaded many to stay and others to come; the same easy transportation made a short commute worthwhile to escape city stress. Pleasant Plains continues to live up to its name, as a sanctuary for those who still savor a bit of the past.

However, savoring the past does not mean living in it — a fact the village trustees understand very well. So as computer technology moved within their reach, they voted to pursue it. Preliminary quotes were discouraging but they kept looking; an ad from Computers Plus of Athens in the Review gave them the break-through they needed. A few weeks later they were ready to load water billing records into their new computer. Mayor Denis Beasley said "We knew there had to be a better way than the laborious manual water billing methods we have used for years, but we couldn't justify an expensive system. When we found both hardware and an excellent water management package at such an affordable price, we grabbed it."

He was referring to a fast 286 based computer with 40 megabytes of hard disk storage, loaded with the new WATSYS water/sewer billing and management system from Custom Database (Springfield), plus word processing and a Fund Accounting package. Mayor Beasley explained, "Not only will we save a lot of tiresome manual labor, but we will be able to offer our residents more timely billing and up-to-the-minute accounting. The water system also has options which let us tailor billing for customers to suit their special needs; a definite plus in attracting new development."

Water Collection clerk Maureen (Rennie) Theilen voiced some concerns.

"Frankly, I wasn't for it. I never used a computer and was afraid I'd have a lot of trouble learning. But now that I've worked with it some and see how easy the water program is to use, I think I'll like it. Figuring the water use and charges and making out all those bills by hand is work I sure won't miss."

Trustee Glen Gallenstein, who was instrumental in the selection process, when asked why this system was chosen said, "The value/price ratio was far better than anything else we found. We were concerned about lack of computer experience but simplicity and features of the Watsys billing package sold us. It can handle up to 10,000 customers, but still fits us just fine. We currently service Salisbury water customers as well as our own, and our service area is growing. This system gives us flexibility and long-term growth potential we never thought we could afford."

"We encourage any towns not convinced of the need to mechanize to take another look." says Mayor Beasley. "Manual accounting and billing are tough to justify when computerization costs so little. Just the use

December 1989 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 11

of the pre-sorted postal rate, which Watsys makes easy, will almost pay for the Watsys portion in the first year. And with better records, improved organization, and less work for an Accountant (and better audits), any town would be hard pressed for valid reasons not to mechanize today."

Chalk up one for little Pleasant Plains! They are determined to keep their old-fashioned values and small town lifestyle, but Mayor Beasley was quick to point out that they also will pursue sensible progress. "We are proud of our past and content with our present, but we intend to keep one eye on the future, too." Sounds like he means it. Maybe you ought to take a drive and have a look for yourself at this charming mix of yesterday and today! Visit the Cartwright church; see the beautiful old houses built by the town's early prominent citizens; look up Harry Hartman, to whom we are indebted for much historical material — he will fascinate you with his lucid recollections of his long association with the town. But allow plenty of time — hurry just doesn't fit in here.

A quote from an edition of the Weekly Press — Pleasant Plains, November 12, 1909 is as fitting a close as we could conceive.

"An Invitation

We, the citizens of the beautiful little city of Pleasant Plains, extend to you a cordial invitation to make your home with us ... We claim that all that is good can be found with us. Get away from the dirt, the noise and turmoil. Come to the place of peace and plenty, and get nearer to God and your fellow man. Get away from the parrots and live where the song birds awaken you from refreshing sleep ... Here is hope for the wicked, rest for the weary, an opportunity to broaden your intellect, get in closer touch with nature and enjoy life as it is meant you should. Here is your chance to get happy without resorting to the use of stimulants. It's God's tonic. Try a dose."

Page 12 / Illinois Municipal Review / December 1989