After eight years of service, Douglas County Treasurer Pat Wells will retire Monday.

On Tuesday, Paula Gilchrist will be sworn in as the new county treasurer.

“It’s exciting for me,” Wells said Friday during a reception in her honor at the Douglas County Courthouse. “I’m looking forward to traveling with my husband.”

Wells said she and her husband, Jim, had been planning a trip to the East Coast to view the fall foliage.

Wells was first elected to the position in 1996 and re-elected in 2000. During her tenure, a satellite location opened at 27th and Iowa streets. She said she was most proud of her work with the state of Kansas to implement online tax payments.

“I’m also happy the office can now accept all major credit cards,” she said.

Wells said she would miss the daily interaction with people. She has served on the executive committee of the Kansas County Treasurer’s Assn. and is the current president of the group.

Before serving as county treasurer, she served as deputy county treasurer from 1985 to 1990.

Interim Deputy County Treasurer Cindy Monshizadeh said it was a sad time with the departure of Wells.

“But I think the staff is happy for her, and we’re looking forward to the new treasurer starting on Tuesday,” she said.