A former horse groomer and social service worker will take the reins as Douglas County Treasurer on Tuesday.

Paula Gilchrist officially will take over the position after being elected by voters to the job in November. The law provides that a newly elected treasurer doesn’t take office until the October after the election.

This is the first time Gilchrist will hold public office.

“This is a big change for me and it is scary,” she said. “It’s just like any job change. But I think a fresh perspective will be good and I have experience that I think will serve me well on the job.”

Paula Gilchrist, left, the social service director at the Salvation Army, works with Mary Shipley, economics assistance director at the center. Gilchrist will be sworn into office Tuesday as the new county treasurer.

Gilchrist will take over the county treasurer’s 19 employees and $750,000 budget. She will leave the job she has had for the past three years as social service director for the Salvation Army in Lawrence.

In the past, she has worked as a real estate agent, the director of the Chamber of Commerce in Fredonia, constituent services representative for former Congressman Jim Slattery and as a polo groomer, working with horses used to play polo.

She said the thought of running for public office hadn’t really crossed her mind, but she decided to run after being approached to do it. Gilchrist wouldn’t say who urged her to run.

“I really enjoy politics and helping people,” she said. “I decided to give it a try.”

Slattery said he was surprised Gilchrist opted to run for public office, but said it was a natural fit. He said he first met Gilchrist in 1990. She worked on his campaign and, following the election, he brought her on staff.

“She has a real heart for helping people. That may sound schmaltzy, but it’s true,” Slattery said.

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He said there are two types of people in politics – those who want to be someone and those who want to do something. Gilchrist belongs in the second set, he said.

“She’s trustworthy,” he said. “I believe the people in Douglas County will grow to appreciate Paula as much as I do. I would trust her with my last dollar.”

Gilchrist takes over from Pat Wells, who has served as county treasurer for eight years and is retiring today.

Gilchrist said she doesn’t have any immediate plans for changes in the treasurer’s office. Making the office more accessible and improving waits in line to pay vehicle taxes at the end of the month are both issues she intends to address. She said she plans to speak with all treasurer office employees and get input before making any changes.

“No one is ever going to like paying taxes,” she said. “It’s like going to the dentist office. But the best dentists are able to make visits relatively painless.”