DETROIT -- Detroit Mayor-elect Dave Bing has met with Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. to discuss the city's finances and the transition.

Bing greeted Detroit City Council President Monica Conyers and Cockrel outside the Thursday morning meeting which lasted about 30 minutes. Bing said he and Cockrel promised access to each other.

"I wanted to make sure that I had access to the key people in the administration so I can ask much more detailed questions and get information that I need," said Bing.

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Bing said he got permission to meet with the city's top financial officers, chief of police and deputy mayor.

He also said he is close to picking a deputy mayor and other appointees.

Most of the discussion focused on the budget. Detroit is believed to have a budget deficit between $250 million and $300 million.

"It's mostly surrounding the budget more than anything else," said Bing.

Bing will be sworn in next week once election results are certified. Cockrel is returning to his previous position as City Council president, a job he vacated when he succeeded Kwame Kilpatrick as mayor.

Conyers may try to stop outgoing Cockrel from returning to the top job on the council.

Conyers on Thursday directed lawyers and researchers to review the city charter, especially a chapter dealing with succession to office.