Island clubs voted on two proposals at their annual general meeting on Thursday night as league officials seek to alleviate problems caused by the loss of a further two teams.
There was a proposal to combine the two divisions for the first part of the season – mimicking what happened in the 2015/16 season – but the 13 Combination clubs voted for the status quo.
The decision not to change the format, said Combination president Charlie Browne, was unanimous.
Under the agreed format, only one automatic promotion and relegation spot will be available, with the Championship runners-up being handed a promotion/relegation playoff against the club who finish second-from-bottom in the Premiership.
