Nothing in this chapter prevents the department or the commission from entering into agreements with each other or with other agencies to coordinate and share services, to conduct joint projects or investigations on matters within the authority and jurisdiction of the parties thereto, or to temporarily assign staff to projects requested by each other or by other agencies. The cooperative agreements may provide for the sharing of costs between the parties thereto or the reimbursement of the department or commission operating budget for expenditures made on behalf of the department or commission or agency. No cooperative effort shall interfere with the independence and integrity of either the commission or the department or any other agency that is a party.