The much-anticipated consultant study on the potential for creating a city-run electric company isn’t expected until the end of the year.

Earlier this month, the Bainbridge city council voted 5-2 to approve a $99,300 contract with D. Hittle & Associates for the Lynnwood-based company to prepare a feasibility study on a takeover of Puget Sound Energy’s operations on Bainbridge.

City spokeswoman Kellie Stickney said the current best guess for the study to be finished is approximately three to four months after a professional services agreement is finalized with D. Hittle.

In its initial proposal to take on the analysis, D. Hittle estimated that it would take the firm approximately two months to come up with its initial results and a draft report, with a final report coming three weeks later.

The move to hire the consultant has been controversial. Some Bainbridge residents have said the study was an expensive waste of money on a “boondoggle,” and claimed that D. Hittle would not provide an unbiased report.

Others, however, said the study would provide crucial answers on the cost and feasibility of starting a municipal electric utility.

D. Hittle has done similar studies for Thurston County, Port Townsend and cities in Oregon. The firm’s report is expected to provide cost estimates for the creation of a city-run electric company, as well as revenue projections and options for financing the takeover of PSE’s infrastructure on the island.