While the front page of the Boston Globe proclaims that Gov. Charlie Baker "wants faster action on Olympic bid" from Boston 2024’s organizers, Baker’s own plans for an independent consultant to study the Olympics is behind schedule.

By the administration’s own estimation, a consultant was to be hired before the end of April, with work beginning May 4.

As of this morning, the state is still without a consultant, the Reporter has confirmed.

“The administration expects to select an outside consultant in the near future in order to assist in determining the potential impact of the games and ensure Boston 2024’s plan will not unfairly burden taxpayers,” Baker’s Communications Director Tim Buckley said in a statement.

It could seem like we’re splitting hairs to say the consultant delay is an issue, but the clock is ticking if the governor expects a comprehensive study of the Olympics’ “direct and indirect costs” to the commonwealth on his desk by July 15, as is detailed in the state’s listing for the $250,000 gig.

A “handful” of consultants have applied for the job, a source tells the Reporter, and the administration is working alongside representatives from Senate President Stan Rosenberg and House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s offices to make the final selection.

After the report comes out this summer, the independent consultant will advise Baker, Rosenberg, and DeLeo through 2016 when Boston 2024 submits another updated bid to the IOC. The IOC selects the 2024 host city in the summer of 2017.