BILLING/PAYMENTS
Meal Plan
Each Resident or couple is on a meal plan that begins on a day of the month that is determined by the first letter of the last name. These allocation months begin as follows (A – C) 5th day, (D – H) 10th day, (I – M) 15th day, (N – R) 20th day, (S – Z) 25th day.
Utilization of Dining Dollars (DD)
The original 1987 ARC meal plan was “One meal per day per Independent Living resident.” Several years ago, the plan was changed to give the Residents more flexibility and choice. The “one meal per day” plan was updated to be “$20.00 per day.” The dollar value of the daily plan, $20.00, was calculated to include: one main entrée, one extra side vegetable/starch, one salad, one soup, one dessert, and one beverage, for a total of $20.00 in the Bluebonnet dining room. This calculation holds true still today as the prices in the Bluebonnet dining room are mostly unchanged since the implementation of the “$20.00 per day” meal plan, now known as the “Dining Dollars” plan.
Dining Services currently offers 3 venues for meals that are paid for through the DD: Bluebonnet Dining Room, Water’s Edge, and Quinn Becker’s Bistro. The Liberty Market and Outtakes store also provides food items for purchase with DD. Additionally, DD may be applied fully or partially for payment of special meals and events, as noted in the documents or fliers announcing those events.
Paying for Meals/Food
Residents will provide the residence unit number when making purchases. The server or cashier will provide a receipt.
Allocation of Dining Dollars
Each Resident is allotted a given amount of DD per month based on the number of days in the month multiplied by 20. Dining dollars expire at the end of the Resident’s monthly billing cycle and do not carry over. When Residents exceed the monthly allotment of DD, or charge guest meals, alcohol or catering expenses, the charges are invoiced on the on the Resident’s next monthly ARC statement.
Regular Meals in Dining Facilities
Independent Living Resident meals in the Bluebonnet Dining Room, Quinn Becker Bistro, and Water’s Edge are charged against the DD account. Guest meals are charged and taxed on Resident’s monthly statement.
Holiday Buffets
The standard holiday buffets cost 20 DD per Resident and are charged to the Resident’s dining dollar balance. Some optional holiday buffets may be nonstandard and may have an additional cost. Prices will be specified in advance advertising.
Special Events
The price of the event may vary. The first 20 DD for a Resident’s meal will be charged to the DD account. Any amount above 20 DD will be charged to the monthly statement.
Street/Floor Meetings and ARC Clubs
When possible, meals will be charged against the DD balance.
Resident Council Events
Meals are charged to the DD balance.