Betsy Price Sworn In As 44th Mayor Of Fort Worth

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – What voters see during the transition of power from mayor to mayor-elect is a swearing in ceremony accented by applauding supporters. But the real transition happened hours before in a closed-door meeting between former Mayor Mike Moncrief and incoming Mayor Betsy Price.

"Don't take any action until you're comfortable," Moncrief told Price in hushed tones as he leaned across a table in the mayor's empty conference room.

This was the meeting few saw.

The outgoing mayor offered his final advice and answered the incoming leader's lingering questions.

"The only thing that's on my mind is to help her however I can," Moncrief said later. "I know what an overwhelming experience it is. I know that there is anticipation. It's only natural."

The two have spent nearly a month exploring the ins and outs of the position, helping Price – the city's 44th mayor – learn how "to run the train," as Moncrief put it last month.

"Butterflies are there a little bit, but they'll be fine," Price said before being sworn in.

They wasted no time: The two got to work two days after Price won the runoff election against former Councilman Jim Lane.

And before being sworn in, Price had already made one change to the mayor's office that showed her style of leadership will likely be different: She's made room on her desk for a computer.

Moncrief carried a personal iPad and was known for being thoroughly versed on issues by poring over background documents on agendas and receiving briefings from his staff.

But he never cleared room off on his desk for a computer.

Price prides herself as a person-to-person administrator, too, but confesses she's developed a dependence on technology to stay in touch.

"The first thing I'm going to do is log on to my new computer," Price said. "This is a big change."

Price's new laptop computer was docked to a large, flat screen monitor while she raved about social media Tuesday. Her iPad sat in the corner.

"I'm kind of a techie geek," Price said. "I've always had a laptop and docking station."

Upon seeing her soon-to-be-desk without a computer, she said, "'gosh we can't have this.'"

"It's going to be good," she added.

As such, whether it's a computer or advice, the city's transition of power took place long before the swearing-in ceremony began.

"I think she's in the gate and she's ready," Moncrief said.

She'd have to be. Immediately after being sworn in, Price was welcomed by the city councilmen and councilwomen while residing over her first – of many – council meeting.