(RALEIGH) -- State lawmakers unknowingly cut $4.3 million more than intended from local mental health agencies that provide services to the developmentally disabled. Health and Human Services Secretary Al Delia was ordered to fix the problem.

Delia said it was a budget line item mistake.  "We had told the legislature that it was in the wrong line when it was indeed in the right line and so inadvertently what was done in the budget was an $8.6 million was taken rather than a $4.3 million cut," said Delia.

Secretary Delia was called on the carpet over the mistake by Democratic Sen. Martin Nesbitt as a legislative oversight committee heard an explanation of the budget line-item confusion.

"I think you staff just said that it was cut and it was intentional," said Nesbitt.

"Mental health was indeed cut $4.3 million.  It was not intended for the additional $4.3 million for guardianship services to also be cut," said Delia.

Rep. Nelson Dollar, who co-chairs a legislative oversight committee, ordered Delia to fix the problem.